2016 NFL Draft: Early Projections for 49ers 11 Picks

Now that the 2016 NFL Draft has come to a close, it is time to turn attention toward general manager Trent Baalke’s selections and their projected role within the San Francisco 49ers roster.

After seven rounds spanning the course of three days, the smoke has finally cleared and 11 rookies have emerged from what started as 12 draft picks for general manager Trent Baalke and the San Francisco 49ers.

Without further ado, the 49ers 2016 draft class:

1. Round 1, Pick 7: DeForest Buckner, DE, Oregon
2. Round 1, Pick 28 (Acquired via trade with Kansas City): Joshua Garnett, OG, Stanford
3. Round 3, Pick 68: Will Redmond, CB, Mississippi State
4. Round 4, Pick 133: Rashard Robinson, CB, LSU
5. Round 5, Pick 142: Ronald Blair, DE, Appalachian State
6. Round 5, Pick 145: John Theus, OT, Georgia
7. Round 5, Pick 174: Fahn Cooper, OT, Mississippi
8. Round 6, Pick 207: Jeff Driskel, QB, Louisiana Tech
9. Round 6, Pick 211: Kelvin Taylor, RB, Florida
10. Round 6, Pick 213: Aaron Burbridge, WR, Michigan State
11. Round 7, Pick 249 (Acquired via trade with Kansas City): Prince Charles Iworah, CB, Western Kentucky

When looking at these selections as a whole, Baalke’s philosophy was clear: reinforce the trenches.

Five out of the eleven selections were investments into the offensive and defensive line, with DeForest Buckner and Joshua Garnett leading the pack.

This class may not have appeared to be as exciting as fans had hoped, this draft represented a very necessary step in rebuilding a depleted roster, starting at the foundation.

While it will be years before we can truly judge the level of impact the 2016 draft class had, each rookie will still have a role to fill as they attempt to leave their mark on a roster that can use all the help it can get.

Next: Projections