2016 NFL Draft: San Francisco 49ers Picks, Grades and Analysis
By Jerod Brown
Final Haul For The 49ers
The 49ers traded their second-round pick to move back up and make two selections on opening night. They ended the 2016 NFL Draft with just one less pick than they started.
In all, after some head-scratching decisions, the 49ers draft haul gives some clear indications about the evaluation of the current roster:
Round 1- DL DeForest Buckner (A+), OG Joshua Garnett (B+)
Round 3-CB Will Redmond (C)
Round 4-CB Rashard Robinson (B)
Round 5-DL Ronald Blair (B), OT John Theus (D+), OT Fahn Cooper (D+)
Round 6- QB Jeff Driskel (B-), RB Kelvin Taylor (B), WR Aaron Burbridge (B)
Round 7- CB Prince Charles Iworah (F+)
Overall, Baalke receives a grade of C+ for the draft class. The grades aren’t an indication of a player’s ability, but rather the value of the pick relative to who else was on the board for the 49ers to choose from. The grades can become better if the players outperform others whom they were selected ahead of.
The success of these picks won’t be known for at least two or three years but, at first blush, the 49ers made good moves and bad moves. The cornerback position will see a ton of competition throughout camp, and it is likely that some names will be floated as trade bait.
Wide receivers Bruce Ellington and Quinton Patton were put on notice with the 49ers selecting a receiver who is built better than the two and is likely ready to produce more. The quarterback selection was a name which hadn’t been rumored quite as much, but Driskel is a big, mobile piece who could develop into something special.
The 2016 NFL Draft brought in some names we’re really familiar with and some names that leave us digging for information. Training camp can’t come soon enough.
Next: Breaking Down Fahn Cooper to 49ers
All statistics, records and accolades courtesy of Sports Reference.com. All height, weight and 2016 NFL Combine measurements are courtesy of NFL.com unless otherwise indicated.