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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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Jan 3, 2016; Santa Clara, CA, USA; San Francisco 49ers fullback Bruce Miller (49) is congratulated by outside linebacker Ray-Ray Armstrong (54) after making a tackle on a punt return against the St. Louis Rams in overtime at Levi’s Stadium. The 49ers defeated the Rams 19-16. Mandatory Credit: Cary Edmondson-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 3, 2016; Santa Clara, CA, USA; San Francisco 49ers fullback Bruce Miller (49) is congratulated by outside linebacker Ray-Ray Armstrong (54) after making a tackle on a punt return against the St. Louis Rams in overtime at Levi’s Stadium. The 49ers defeated the Rams 19-16. Mandatory Credit: Cary Edmondson-USA TODAY Sports /

Round 7, Pick No. 211: Bruce Miller, FB, Central Florida

It’s a bit misleading to give Bruce Miller a position. He was a defensive end in college who the 49ers converted to fullback in the pros, and now he’s converting again to tight end in Chip Kelly’s fullback-less system.

Wherever Miller has lined up, he’s found a way to produce. The fullback is a dying breed in the NFL, but Miller has been among the top in the league since he took over the position.

It remains to be seen how long he’ll stick with the team now that the system doesn’t really match his strengths all that well, but when you’re talking about a seventh-round pick contributing five years down the line, that’s a good pick. The 49ers have gotten more out of Miller than they could have reasonably counted upon.

Grade: C+

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