Niner Noise
FanSided

5 NFL Draft Picks that Could Jumpstart the 49ers Rebuild

By Robert Smith

Feb 9, 2017; Santa Clara, CA, USA; San Francisco 49ers general manager John Lynch during a press conference at Levi's Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 9, 2017; Santa Clara, CA, USA; San Francisco 49ers general manager John Lynch during a press conference at Levi's Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports /
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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 /

After a 2-14 season, the San Francisco 49ers have plenty of holes to fill. With new general manager John Lynch and first-time head coach Kyle Shanahan promising a structured approach to this rebuild, they will enter the 2017 NFL Draft with a slew of picks to infuse the roster with young talent.

There is no quick fix or magic wand that can instantly make the San Francisco 49ers great again.

The process should be calculated and deliberate.

It is not only finding a franchise guy under center, but restocking the cupboard left nearly bare by former general manager Trent Baalke.

With the possibility of up to 11 picks in April’s draft, there are plenty of opportunities for Kyle Shanahan, John Lynch and Co. to get this once-proud franchise back on the road to respectability.

While the Niners have needs across the board, some will more than likely be addressed in free agency. The team will have the second most cap space to spend this offseason at just about $80 million, right behind the Cleveland Browns.

By appropriately using a combination of cap space and draft picks, the team can begin moving in the right direction once again.

With that said, let’s play GM and pick five players in this year’s draft that will spark a resurgence for the scarlet and gold.