Niner Noise
FanSided

2016 NFL Draft: Five Sleeper Picks for the 49ers

By Jerod Brown

Apr 30, 2015; Chicago, IL, USA; A general view of the stage before the 2015 NFL Draft at the Auditorium Theatre of Roosevelt University. Mandatory Credit: Jerry Lai-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 30, 2015; Chicago, IL, USA; A general view of the stage before the 2015 NFL Draft at the Auditorium Theatre of Roosevelt University. Mandatory Credit: Jerry Lai-USA TODAY Sports /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
1 of 7
Next

The San Francisco 49ers have 12 picks in the upcoming 2016 NFL Draft. They should have a choice of good players at number seven overall. Who can general manager Trent Baalke find later to contribute in 2016?

Apr 30, 2015; Chicago, IL, USA; A general view of the stage before the 2015 NFL Draft at the Auditorium Theatre of Roosevelt University. Mandatory Credit: Jerry Lai-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 30, 2015; Chicago, IL, USA; A general view of the stage before the 2015 NFL Draft at the Auditorium Theatre of Roosevelt University. Mandatory Credit: Jerry Lai-USA TODAY Sports /

The 2016 NFL Draft is rapidly approaching and the San Francisco 49ers’ front office will be finalizing their draft board any day now. Among the top options for the 49ers at pick seven in the first round are Cal quarterback Jared Goff, University of Oregon defensive tackle DeForest Buckner, North Dakota State quarterback Carson Wentz and Notre Dame offensive tackle Ronnie Stanley.

The choices that 49ers general manager Trent Baalke will have to make with his first pick have been discussed heavily, both on this site and abroad. However, after that all-so-important first pick, he’ll have more to make over the remaining days of the draft.

The 49ers have a young roster that could use some beefing up throughout. Remember, not every player that is drafted will make the roster and some will contribute as part of the practice squad. Ideally, Baalke will find some talent late that can crack the 53-man roster and make an impact in 2016.

Players that are available late in the draft are there for a reason. Some come with injury issues, disciplinary issues in school and most lack technical traits that have pushed them down the board for many teams.

Being drafted late is not always a bad thing. Prospects can enter teams with little stress and take the time to heal and develop into potential starters. That strategy doesn’t help without a strong roster core but there are only so many spots for the 49ers to squeeze a rookie into play.

With most of the 49ers picks coming in the later rounds, they just might be able to grab some starters or high-quality depth guys late. In no particular order, here are five sleeper picks for the 49ers in the 2016 NFL Draft.

Next: Long-Haired Blocking Machine