“If I’m the 49ers, I Would…”: Steps to Rebuild San Francisco in 2016

If I were the 49ers, I would avoid ACL-injury risks altogether

General manager Trent Baalke’s “All-ACL” team hasn’t exactly panned out.

Think about some of the knee-injury guys Baalke has selected during his tenure as GM. Offensive guard Brandon Thomas, running back Marcus Lattimore, defensive end Tank Carradine, cornerback Keith Reaser and wide receiver DeAndre Smelter are the names Niner fans know most when considering players Baalke drafted, who were coming off collegiate injuries.

And which guys from that group have made an impact at the NFL level?

True, Smelter may have a ton of upside and could impact the 49ers receiving corps this season. It’s pretty untested behind No. 1 wideout Torrey Smith.

But critics made the same arguments about Carradine, Lattimore and even Thomas. None of those names have made an impact since joining the pro ranks.

Here’s the thing — it’s OK to take a flier on a late-round pick because of an injury. If he works out at some point down the road, fine. But when a team spends a moderate-to-high draft pick (Carradine, Round 2; Lattimore, Round 4; Thomas, Round 3) and winds up being redshirted, the team is losing out on at least one year of critical developmental progress and, at best, on-field production.

So, if I were the 49ers, players with significant injury risks would have big red flags. The Niners need production, competition and impact now.

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