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2016 NFL Draft: Round-by-Round Mock for 49ers

By Bryan Knowles

Apr 30, 2015; Chicago, IL, USA; A general view of the podium on 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 podium on stage before the 2015 NFL Draft at the Auditorium Theatre of Roosevelt University. Mandatory Credit: Jerry Lai-USA TODAY Sports /
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Dec 31, 2015; Atlanta, GA, USA; Florida State Seminoles place kicker Roberto Aguayo (19) in action against the Houston Cougars in the fourth quarter in the 2015 Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl at the Georgia Dome. Houston defeated Florida State 38-24. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 31, 2015; Atlanta, GA, USA; Florida State Seminoles place kicker Roberto Aguayo (19) in action against the Houston Cougars in the fourth quarter in the 2015 Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl at the Georgia Dome. Houston defeated Florida State 38-24. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports /

Round 5, Pick 174: Roberto Aguayo, K, Florida State

Yes, I know the 49ers re-signed Phil Dawson this offseason to a large, guaranteed contract, making drafting a kicker a poor decision. Yes, drafting a kicker is in general a poor decision, considering about half of the top NFL kickers were undrafted. Yes, I’m aware I’ve yet to give the 49ers a pass-rusher or a pure guard in this mock draft. Yes, I’m aware our April Fools mock had the 49ers taking Aguayo, mocking the concept even further.

On my board, though, players like defensive linemen Nile Lawrence-Stample and Quinton Jefferson had already been selected. Offensive linemen like Jack Allen and Alex Lewis were gone as well. The 49ers could reach for a pass rusher like Stephen Weartherly or Victor Ochi, or a lineman like Joe Thuney or Vadal Alexander, but they don’t feel like players who are really worth fifth-round picks. They can’t even trade back, as this is a compensatory selection.

So, heck with it—time to draft the best kicking prospect I’ve seen since Mason Crosby in 2007. He’s a once-a-decade kicking prospect, and while that’s not worth anything more than a pick very late in the fifth round, it might be better than reaching for a less talented prospect, even at more useful positions.

Aguayo was a three-time All-American at Florida State. The last person to do that for FSU? Deion Sanders. He declared early for the NFL draft—the last kicker to do that was Sebastian Janikowski. Roberto “Prime Time” Aguayo connected on 88.5 percent of his field goals in college, never missing a kick less than 40 yards long.  He’s got very good leg strength and performs well under pressure—remember, FSU won the national championship in 2013, so Aguayo is used to kicking under pressure.

With Aguayo and Bradley Pinion, the 49ers would have the highest-drafted special teams unit in the game. That’s not something to be proud of, but there exists situations in which Aguayo is worth a fifth-round pick.

Other players considered:

  • Joe Thuney, G, North Carolina State
  • Stephen Weatherly, OLB, Vanderbilt
  • Vincent Valentine, DT, Nebraska

Next: Round 5, Pick 174