Full San Francisco 49ers Primer for the 2016 NFL Draft
By Peter Panacy
Wrapping It Up
The 2016 NFL draft is of utmost importance to the San Francisco 49ers for more than just the obvious reasons.
Aside from this critical period being a chance for the team to add some playmaking talent at a variety of positions, the draft may be the last chance for general manager Trent Baalke to prove his worth to the organization.
While there haven’t exactly been overtures of Baalke’s “thin rope” this season, it’s likely his tenure could be in danger if San Francisco’s draft class fails to generate amicable and productive results.
So the three-day period between April 28 and 30 will be the start of a stretch in which fans and analysts alike determine whether or not Baalke can construct an NFL-worthy roster, as CEO Jed York insisted could happen back in January.
Not all of Baalke’s selections, whoever they may be, will pan out at the pro level. That’s just the nature of the NFL.
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But San Francisco needs to have more than just an above-average draft class. The team needs to generate some splashes, find players whose potential is high and then turn those commodities into workable pieces en route to ensuring the 49ers return to prominence.
Exactly how this happens remains to be seen. Yet we can start the countdown and only await with anticipation.
Next: 5 Bold Predictions for the 49ers in the 2016 NFL Draft
All statistics, records and accolades courtesy of Pro-Football-Reference.com and Sports-Reference.com unless otherwise indicated. Supplementary draft information courtesy of CBS Sports.