Best, Worst Picks by 49ers in the 2016 NFL Draft
- Rashard Robinson, CB, LSU (Pick No. 133)
Rashard Robinson was the second cornerback the 49ers selected in the draft, having addressed the position somewhat with their third-round pick, Will Redmond. They aren’t exactly the same sort of player—Redmond’s a guy who is more likely come in in a nickel or dime package as an inside guy, while Robinson is more of a boundary corner, so it’s not complete overlap, but the 49ers had enough needs to make doubling down so early on a relatively minor need like cornerback a little odd. The selections probably mean moving both Jimmie Ward and Jaquiski Tartt to different positions, so it’s a bit of an awkward shuffle around.
It’s also an odd position to double-down on. When the 49ers took both Buckner and Blair, they were restocking a defensive line that never really replaced the loss of Justin Smith and Ray McDonald from a few years ago. When the 49ers doubled-down on offensive tackle, they were addressing a line that gave up 50 or more sacks in each of the last two seasons. The 49ers actually have a variety of interesting young cornerbacks on the roster, and while more talent is always nice, using two mid-round picks on it seems excessive.
Then there’s Robinson’s off-field issues. Robinson missed the entire 2015 season, not due to injury but due to suspension. He was suspended indefinitely and never reinstated by LSU for breaking team rules, and was arrested for breaking and entering a team’s apartment. Couple that with the fact that he only made eight career starts at LSU, and you have a raw and troubled young corner, though one with a fairly high upside.
I strongly believe the 49ers had better options elsewhere. If the 49ers really wanted to double-down on cornerback, players like Oklahoma’s Zack Sanchez and Georgia Tech’s D.J. White were still on the board, both of whom have more experience, loads of potential and fewer red-flags than Robinson does, though neither is as good as an outside prospect as Robinson is.
This is another spot the 49ers could have addressed guard without trading up, as well, as Christian Westerman and Connor McGovern were on the board as well. A receiver like Jordan Payton or tackle like Caleb Benenoch, from UCLA, were other names I was looking at when Robinson came off the board. There were other interesting defensive names, too, in a Matt Judon of Grand Valley State or a D.J. Reader from Clemson. The team, I feel, had too many needs to double down on cornerback in the mid-rounds, especially someone with as little experience as Robinson.
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