Niner Noise
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2016 NFL Draft: Predicting 49ers GM Trent Baalke’s Priority List

By Rob Lowder

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Nov 14, 2015; Berkeley, CA, USA; California Golden Bears quarterback Jared Goff (16) warms up before the game against the Oregon State Beavers at Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 14, 2015; Berkeley, CA, USA; California Golden Bears quarterback Jared Goff (16) warms up before the game against the Oregon State Beavers at Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports /

Seek Best Players Within Reach

With a list of the most pressing needs established, Baalke must target players and seek them aggressively.

Baalke needs to use his draft ammunition and acumen to maneuver up and down the draft board, moving up to take specific players or trading back to create more draft-currency.

Doug Williams of NBC Bay Area highlights Baalke’s advantageous position:

"And now the 49ers have 12 picks in this year’s draft that begins April 28, the most of any team in the league. With the addition of four compensatory picks, San Francisco has plenty of opportunities to restock the roster and make trades."

While restocking the roster with quality depth is certainly among the list of priorities, it is not the focus yet.

Oregon defensive lineman DeForest Buckner, Cal quarterback Jared Goff, Clemson defensive lineman Shaq Lawson and wide receiver LaQuon Treadwell are all prospects commonly associated with the 49ers that may require trading up or down on draft day.

It is important to note that although the team has pressing needs, it is not always negative to trade back. Trading back creates more picks that can be used to obtain players or create more movement later in the draft, selecting players where their value matches their position.

November 8, 2015; Santa Clara, CA, USA; San Francisco 49ers defensive end Arik Armstead (91) celebrates after sacking Atlanta Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan (2) during the first quarter at Levi
November 8, 2015; Santa Clara, CA, USA; San Francisco 49ers defensive end Arik Armstead (91) celebrates after sacking Atlanta Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan (2) during the first quarter at Levi /

For example, Baalke was targeting Oregon defensive lineman Arik Armstead in the first round of the 2015 NFL draft. Being confident that Armstead would still be available, Baalke traded back two picks with the San Diego Chargers, obtaining a fourth-round selection that year, and a fifth-round selection this year.

Two picks for two spaces? That’s borderline robbery.

While these types of trades are not always available, it is a simple example of how trading back can be advantageous.

The draft is a fluid process and Baalke will be constantly evaluating his big board to execute any move that may be necessary to select players at positional needs.

A final word of caution: Baalke must also be weary of any trade that requires too much currency, or he risks jeopardizing the next priority on his list.

Next: Priority 3