Niner Noise
FanSided

2016 NFL Draft: Worst-Case Scenarios for 49ers

By Bryan Knowles

Feb 24, 2016; Indianapolis, IN, USA; San Francisco 49ers general manager Trent Baalke speaks to the media during the 2016 NFL Scouting Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 24, 2016; Indianapolis, IN, USA; San Francisco 49ers general manager Trent Baalke speaks to the media during the 2016 NFL Scouting Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
1 of 6
Next

While the NFL Draft brings with it hope and potential, sometimes, everything just goes wrong.

Apr 30, 2015; Chicago, IL, USA; Chicago Bears fans cheer after Kevin White (West Virginia) is selected as the number seven overall pick to the Chicago Beras in the first round of the 2015 NFL Draft at the Auditorium Theatre of Roosevelt University. Mandatory Credit: Jerry Lai-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 30, 2015; Chicago, IL, USA; Chicago Bears fans cheer after Kevin White (West Virginia) is selected as the number seven overall pick to the Chicago Beras in the first round of the 2015 NFL Draft at the Auditorium Theatre of Roosevelt University. Mandatory Credit: Jerry Lai-USA TODAY Sports /

San Francisco 49ers fans are very familiar with nightmare draft scenarios. All they really have to do is look back at 2012 and see how bad a draft can be. While the promise of 12 draft picks brings with it nearly unlimited potential in the 2016 NFL Draft, it could also end up being a disaster. With the 49ers in full-on rebuilding mode, they need to really make wise and strong decisions in this year’s draft, or they risk extending the time they’ll spend in the dregs of the league.

Of course, the full extent of how bad the 2012 draft was didn’t become clear until several years after the fact, when all the players failed to pan out. Similarly, we won’t really know if the 2016 draft will be any good until three to five years have passed. The best way to judge worst-case scenarios in the immediate aftermath of the draft is based on the process the 49ers take to make the picks. Are they using their picks wisely? Are they moving around the board effectively? Are they filling their needs without reaching?  Are other teams snatching up the players they want the most?

Yes, it’s possible to have a bad draft even if you make all the right decisions, and possible to have a good draft even if you make all the wrong decisions, but teams with better processes tend to have better results in the long run.

Let’s take a look at some of the possible things that could go wrong for the 49ers during draft day.

Next: Trade Up!