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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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Not many photos of guys who never played in the NFL. Mandatory Credit: Troy Wayrynen-USA TODAY Sports
Not many photos of guys who never played in the NFL. Mandatory Credit: Troy Wayrynen-USA TODAY Sports /

Round 6, Pick No. 182: Ronald Johnson, WR, USC

The 49ers were looking to upgrade over Ted Ginn five years ago; they signed Braylon Edwards as their primary upgrade at the receiver position, but also took a late-round flyer on Ronald Johnson out of USC.

Johnson was an undersized, raw route runner with potential to be a flyer and big-play machine at the NFL level if he could just develop a bit more skill. Even if he didn’t, though, people assumed his explosive first gear would have him contribute as a return man, if nothing else.

Instead, he was released after training camp in 2011. He bounced around a few practice squads, went to the CFL for a year, and is currently plying his trade for the West Michigan Ironmen of American Indoor Football—not the Arena Football League, but a different, smaller league. He never appeared in an NFL game.

That’s a swing and a miss.

Grade: F

Next: Colin Jones