49ers: Regrading All 6 of GM Trent Baalke's NFL Draft Classes

3 of 8

April 27, 2012; Santa Clara, CA, USA; San Francisco 49ers head coach Jim Harbaugh and first round draft pick wide receiver A.J. Jenkins and general manager Trent Baalke pose for a photo at the 49ers headquarters. Mandatory Credit: Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports /

The 2012 NFL Draft

The Picks

1	30	A.J. Jenkins	WR	Illinois
2	61	LaMichael James	RB	Oregon
4	117	Joe Looney	G	Wake Forest
5	165	Darius Fleming	LB	Notre Dame
6	180	Trenton Robinson	FS	Michigan State
6	199	Jason Slowey	T	Western Oregon
7	237	Cam Johnson	LB	Virginia

If 2011 was general manager Trent Baalke’s best year, 2012 has to be considered his worst.

Yes, this is the class which netted wide receiver A.J. Jenkins in Round 1. And exactly zero of these draftees remain with the 49ers now.

Wide Receiver A.J. Jenkins — 1

Jenkins is easily viewed as Baalke’s biggest draft bust to date. He never made any sort of impact for San Francisco’s offense, despite the team’s desperation for impact wideouts leading up to Super Bowl XLVII that season. The Niners traded him off the following year.

Aug 28, 2014; Houston, TX, USA; San Francisco 49ers running back LaMichael James (23) before the game against the Houston Texans at NRG Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports /

Running Back LaMichael James — 2

While running back LaMichael James might have been one of the most explosive collegiate players at the University of Oregon, his NFL efforts never panned out in then-offensive coordinator Greg Roman’s complex running scheme. Aside from his duties on special teams, Jenkins offered next to nothing.

Guard Joe Looney — 2

The 49ers were hoping offensive guard Joe Looney would be a long-term replacement along the offensive line or, at least, a decent interior backup. It never happened.

Linebacker Darius Fleming — 1

San Francisco didn’t get anything insofar as on-field production from linebacker Darius Fleming.

Safety Trenton Robinson — 1.5

Safety Trent Robinson appeared in three games for the 49ers in 2012, primarily on special teams. He managed to sign on with the Washington Redskins the following year.

Offensive Lineman Jason Slowey — 1

At least offensive lineman Jason Slowey extended his career into 2012 with the Oakland Raiders.

Linebacker Cam Johnson — 2.5

San Francisco didn’t have room for linebacker Cam Johnson but was able to trade him off to the Indianapolis Colts during the 2013 preseason. Not a bad way to get a return on an excess commodity.

Is it really possible he’s our highest-ranked draftee from this class?

San Francisco 49ers: Regrading All 6 NFL Draft Classes of GM Trent Baalke

By Peter Panacy | Oct 13, 2016