Niner Noise
FanSided

Top 10 Biggest Mistakes the 49ers Have Made Since 2015

By Peter Panacy

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Apr 28, 2016; Chicago, IL, USA; A general view of the stage and podium before the 2016 NFL Draft at the Auditorium Theatre. Mandatory Credit: Jerry Lai-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 28, 2016; Chicago, IL, USA; A general view of the stage and podium before the 2016 NFL Draft at the Auditorium Theatre. Mandatory Credit: Jerry Lai-USA TODAY Sports /

No. 10: Gaffes in the 2015 NFL Draft

It’s easy to point out the failures general manager Trent Baalke made in previous NFL Drafts, such as 2012. But since we’re only going back to 2015, let’s just stick with that draft class.

Here it is:

  • DE Arik Armstead (No. 17)
  • S Jaquiski Tartt (No. 46)
  • OLB Eli Harold (No. 79)
  • TE Blake Bell (No. 117)
  • RB Mike Davis (No. 126)
  • WR DeAndre Smelter (No. 132)
  • P Bradley Pinion (No. 165)
  • G Ian Silberman (No. 190)
  • OL Trent Brown (No. 244)
  • TE Busta Anderson (No. 254)

Out of this class, only defensive end Arik Armstead and tackle Trent Brown have made any notable impact. And Armstead (shoulder) is out for the rest of this season.

Safety Jaquiski Tartt hasn’t made the leap from a rookie backup to regular rotational player. And it took him a number of injuries to get on the field in Week 10, at least according to 49ers play-by-play radio announcer Ted Robinson (h/t KNBR 680).

Linebacker Eli Harold hasn’t given much of anything in the pass rush and in run defense. Tight end Blake Bell is buried as the No. 3 guy on the depth chart. Running back Mike Davis hasn’t been able to overtake journeymen guys like DuJuan Harris and Shaun Draughn out of the backfield. And wide receiver DeAndre Smelter (knee) has yet to take a snap at the NFL level.

Oh, and Baalke was the first GM in the draft to take a specialist — punter Bradley Pinion in Round 5.

While it’s still early, this particular draft class isn’t shaping up to be one of Baalke’s finest.