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2016 49ers Mock NFL Draft With Compensatory Pick Selections

By Rich Madrid

May 8, 2014; New York, NY, USA; A general view of a helmet, NFL shield, stage, and podium before the start of the 2014 NFL Draft at Radio City Music Hall. Mandatory Credit: Adam Hunger-USA TODAY Sports
May 8, 2014; New York, NY, USA; A general view of a helmet, NFL shield, stage, and podium before the start of the 2014 NFL Draft at Radio City Music Hall. Mandatory Credit: Adam Hunger-USA TODAY Sports /
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Round 4, Pick 105: Vernon Adams, QB, OREGON

Nov 27, 2015; Eugene, OR, USA; Oregon Ducks quarterback Vernon Adams Jr. (3) throws the ball in the second quarter against the Oregon State Beavers at Autzen Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Scott Olmos-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 27, 2015; Eugene, OR, USA; Oregon Ducks quarterback Vernon Adams Jr. (3) throws the ball in the second quarter against the Oregon State Beavers at Autzen Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Scott Olmos-USA TODAY Sports /

The 49ers already have a quarterback controversy even if they don’t select one in the first round. This year, it’s better to wait to until the later rounds to take one. And neither Cal’s Jared Goff or North Dakota State’s Carson Wentz are worthy of a first-round pick at this point. But they’ll likely both be selected in the top five in the first round, and the 49ers don’t have an immediate need at the position.

Later in the draft, the quarterback that will be available is Vernon Adams.

The Oregon QB played one year under Mark Helfrich, a Chip Kelly disciple, and already knows the playbook. Adams is undervalued as a quarterback, and if Goff and Wentz are worthy of first-round pick, then so is Adams.

But his size appears to be his limiting factor.

Adams has consistently good footwork, great velocity, throws with anticipation and rarely takes his eyes off the field — at least on par with or more than the top QB prospects this year. He’s even shown that he is ambidextrous.

The 49ers need a shake-up at the position and someone to compete with Colin Kaepernick and Blaine Gabbert, provided Kaepernick doesn’t get traded.

COMPENSATORY PICK, Pick 133: Charone Peake, WR, CLEMSON

The 49ers are in desperate need of some size and speed at the receiver position this year to compliment Torrey Smith.

Aging Anquan Boldin is not a guarantee to return, Smith was grossly under-utilized and the 49ers got less than stellar production out of the backup receiver corps consisting of Jerome Simpson, Quinton Patton and Bruce Ellington. Kelly’s offense relies on receivers, who have speed that can get open with mismatches rather than physically dominating the defenders at the point of the catch.

Charone Peake turned in a 4.37 40-yard dash at this year’s combine. In Clemson’s run to the College Football Playoff title game, Peake totaled 50 receptions and five touchdowns.

His draft profile characterizes him as a, “Three-level pass catcher. Shows cornerbacks varied route speeds. Sells route at his top speed, but has another gear saved-up to overtake defender when he hits the gas. Legitimate deep ball threat…Hard worker in the classroom and scouts love his personal character.”

His limitations include smaller than normal hand size, late hands to catch, and almost a 9% drop rate.

Next: Round 5