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San Francisco 49ers: Reevaluating the 2011 NFL Draft, Five Years Later

By Bryan Knowles

December 20, 2014; Santa Clara, CA, USA; San Francisco 49ers outside linebacker Aldon Smith (99) during the fourth quarter against the San Diego Chargers at Levi
December 20, 2014; Santa Clara, CA, USA; San Francisco 49ers outside linebacker Aldon Smith (99) during the fourth quarter against the San Diego Chargers at Levi /
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July 24, 2014; Santa Clara, CA, USA; San Francisco 49ers outside linebacker Aldon Smith (99) wipes his face during training camp at the SAP Performance Facility. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports
July 24, 2014; Santa Clara, CA, USA; San Francisco 49ers outside linebacker Aldon Smith (99) wipes his face during training camp at the SAP Performance Facility. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports /

Round 1, No. 7 Overall: Aldon Smith, LB, Missouri

Entering the 2011 draft, the 49ers lacked a reliable pass-rusher; Manny Lawson and Parys Haralson had been their outside linebackers, though the young Ahmad Brooks was showing some potential to break into the starting lineup. Patrick Willis led the team’s linebackers in sacks; while Willis was great, that isn’t something an inside linebacker should lead the team in.

Smith was considered a slight reach in 2011 with players like Blaine Gabbert, Robert Quinn and Prince Amukamara still on the board, but most people agreed that he had All-Pro potential if he could just improve his play strength somewhat.

That was an understatement; Smith quickly became one of the league’s most feared pass-rushers; he’s the only 49er since 2002 to record double-digit sacks in a season, and he did so twice. He looked well on his way to becoming one of the league’s top players.

Of course, we all know what’s happened since then—his constant run-ins with the law, his issues with drinking and driving, and the suspensions that have been passed down to him by the league office.

While there’s still time for him to get his career in order, he’s already suspended for most of the 2016 season, and the headaches he provides off the field seem hardly worth it, even considering the incredible value he brings on the field.

In retrospect, of course, the 49ers should have grabbed J.J. Watt, who went 11th overall to Houston and is, hands down, the best player in this draft. Tackle Tyron Smith, who went ninth overall, would have been a very good choice as well.

Still, even with all the off-field headaches he produced, you can’t deny that, for a few years there, Smith was one of the most important cogs on the 49ers’ defense. Even missing so much time due to suspension, he’s still produced like one of the top 32 players in this draft, and there’s still time for him to get his act together. He wouldn’t go seventh overall in the draft again by any means, but there’s no denying the disruption he produced on the field.

Grade: B

Next: Colin Kaepernick