2016 NFL Draft: Complete 7-Round Mock for the San Francisco 49ers
By Peter Panacy
The San Francisco 49ers need to address a number of positions via the 2016 NFL Draft. With 12 selections total, general manager Trent Baalke will need to cash in on a very promising draft class.
Just a few days ago, Niner Noise put together a “mock” of mock drafts to ring in the month of April and celebrate April Fools Day.
OK, so that mock has nothing to do with what the 49ers should and/or will do in the upcoming 2016 NFL Draft — the dates of which will be held on April 28 through 30.
49ers general manager Trent Baalke will have a total of 12 picks to use in the draft — currently the highest number out of any NFL team. And it’s a good thing for San Francisco. Coming off a 5-11 finish and with a roster in need of a wholesale influx of talent, the 49ers will want as many of those selections to be as good as possible.
Here’s a list of the 49ers’ selections in the NFL Draft, courtesy of the team’s website:
Round 1: Pick 7
Round 2: Pick 6 (37th overall)
Round 3: Pick 5 (68th overall)
Round 4: Pick 7 (105th overall)
Round 4: Pick 35 (133rd overall) – compensatory
Round 5: Pick 3 (142nd overall) – from San Diego
Round 5: Pick 6 (145th overall)
Round 5: Pick 37 (174th overall) – compensatory
Round 6: Pick 3 (178th overall) – from Dallas
Round 6: Pick 32 (207th overall) – from Denver
Round 6: Pick 36 (211th overall) – compensatory
Round 6: Pick 38 (213th overall) – compensatory
San Francisco owns the No. 7 overall pick and, in most cases, high picks in each of the subsequent rounds. The 49ers also hold a total of six picks between Round 3 and 5, which increases the chances for in-draft trades and/or hitting on some of those mid-level prospects who turn into something special (see LBs NaVorro Bowman in Round 3 or Aaron Lynch in Round 5).
It’s important to note this mock will focus less on what the 49ers will do and rather more on what they should do when the NFL Draft rolls around. In reality, this approach only affects the first couple of rounds anyway.
Speaking of those early rounds, let’s jump right into Round 1.
Next: Round 1