Niner Noise
FanSided

Top 10 Biggest Mistakes the 49ers Have Made Since 2015

By Peter Panacy

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Jan 15, 2015; Santa Clara, CA, USA; San Francisco 49ers general manager Trent Baalke during a press conference to introduce Jim Tomsula as head coach of the San Francisco 49ers at Levi's Stadium Auditorium. Mandatory Credit: Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 15, 2015; Santa Clara, CA, USA; San Francisco 49ers general manager Trent Baalke during a press conference to introduce Jim Tomsula as head coach of the San Francisco 49ers at Levi’s Stadium Auditorium. Mandatory Credit: Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports /

No. 3: Not Taking an Inside Linebacker in 2016 NFL Draft

Understandably so, general manager Trent Baakle used the 49ers’ first two picks in the 2016 NFL Draft to address the trenches. He selected defensive end DeForest Buckner and guard Joshua Garnett in Round 1.

Still, Baalke avoided one of the team’s preeminent needs — inside linebacker.

While San Francisco was hopeful linebacker NaVorro Bowman would be able to do plenty in his first year back since the awful 2014 NFC Championship injury, the position still needed help. And it was a bit of a shock to see Baalke steer clear of inside linebackers altogether.

After the draft, Niner Noise put together some reasons why Baalke went this route. And we even recalled how Baalke said the position wasn’t a need.

Related Story: Why the 49ers Didn't Draft an ILB in the 2016 NFL Draft

Hindsight tells us this was a major mistake.

The 49ers are dead last in the league against the run and are on pace to give up 3,088 rushing yards this season — historically bad.

And with this position so crucial in limiting and stopping opposing teams’ ground games, it’s easy to consider this a huge gaffe in Baalke’s efforts.