San Francisco 49ers: Regrading All 6 NFL Draft Classes of GM Trent Baalke
By Peter Panacy
The 2014 NFL Draft
The Picks
| 1 | 30 | Jimmie Ward | SS | Northern Illinois |
| 2 | 57 | Carlos Hyde | RB | Ohio State |
| 3 | 70 | Marcus Martin | C | USC |
| 3 | 77 | Chris Borland | ILB | Wisconsin |
| 3 | 100 | Brandon Thomas | G | Clemson |
| 4 | 106 | Bruce Ellington | WR | South Carolina |
| 4 | 129 | Dontae Johnson | CB | North Carolina State |
| 5 | 150 | Aaron Lynch | DE | South Florida |
| 5 | 170 | Keith Reaser | DB | Florida Atlantic |
| 6 | 180 | Kenneth Acker | DB | Southern Methodist |
| 7 | 243 | Kaleb Ramsey | DT | Boston College |
| 7 | 245 | Trey Millard | FB | Oklahoma |
If 2012 was a disaster for general manager Trent Baalke, and 2013 wasn’t much better, 2014 looked decent.
At least when evaluating some of the latter picks Baalke took after Round 2.
Defensive Back Jimmie Ward — 4.5
His rookie season might have been one to forget, but Jimmie Ward has now emerged as one of San Francisco’s best defensive backs on the field. He earned a starting role on the outside to begin 2016, and it’s possible he winds up earning a Pro Bowl nod in the near future.
But that’s what one should expect out of a first-round pick.
Running Back Carlos Hyde — 5
The 49ers found their heir apparent to Frank Gore by drafting former Ohio State standout Carlos Hyde.
If Hyde was running behind an offensive line that could run block, he’d be a perennial Pro Bowler. Oh, and health reasons are an issue. Still, Hyde is now the bell cow of San Francisco’s offense.
Center Marcus Martin — 2
Former USC center Marcus Martin probably should get a 1-grade, but he’s actually seen quite a bit of the field. He just hasn’t performed well. It’s surprising to still see him on the roster. But at only 22 years old, maybe the 49ers feel he can still grow into a bona fide role.
Linebacker Chris Borland — 4
Oh, what could have been. Linebacker Chris Borland retired after one of the most promising rookie seasons in franchise history. And the 49ers sure do miss his instincts and tackling prowess.
Can’t fault Baalke there.
Guard Brandon Thomas — 1
Another one of Baalke’s redshirt picks. Offensive guard Brandon Thomas was highly touted coming out of college. But he struggled against bull rushes and never saw the field with San Francisco. The Niners traded him to the Detroit Lions for wide receiver Jeremy Kerley (a steal, in hindsight), but Thomas couldn’t even make the Lions’ 53-man roster.
Wide Receiver Bruce Ellington — 2.5
Like wide receiver Quinton Patton on the previous slide, fellow wideout Bruce Ellington is one of those guys we constantly await to have a breakout year. And yet injuries continue to set him back.
He’s on injured reserve now.
Cornerback Dontae Johnson — 3
It’s hard to figure out why cornerback Dontae Johnson doesn’t get more looks, but maybe he’ll be nothing more than just an OK backup within the secondary. It looks as if that will be the case moving forward.
Linebacker Aaron Lynch — 4
The 49ers found a gem in Round 5 when they selected linebacker Aaron Lynch. Lynch remains the Niners’ best pass-rusher. And while conditioning issues have been a concern, he’ll likely be a major piece of the San Francisco defense in coming years.
Let’s hope he’s on the ascent.
Cornerback Keith Reaser — 2.5
Earlier this offseason, cornerback Keith Reaser had to worry about his job thanks to the addition of yet three more corners to the Niners’ 90-man roster. But Reaser won out and has managed to play in four games in 2016.
Cornerback Kenneth Acker — 3
Cornerback Kenneth Acker looked like he could be another gem in this class, after a strong showing for the first half of 2015. He fell out of favor down the stretch though, and San Francisco dealt him off during the 2016 preseason.
Defensive Tackle Kaleb Ramsey — 1
No offense, but we probably have to remind ourselves who this guy even was.
Fullback Trey Millard — 1
Fullback Trey Millard was supposed to be the next 49ers H-back and/or long-term replacement for now-released fullback Bruce Miller. It never happened.