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Re-evaluating Trent Baalke’s Failure in the Draft as the 49ers General Manager

By Akash Anavarathan

Nov 20, 2016; Santa Clara, CA, USA; San Francisco 49ers general manager Trent Baalke before the game against the New England Patriots at Levi's Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 20, 2016; Santa Clara, CA, USA; San Francisco 49ers general manager Trent Baalke before the game against the New England Patriots at Levi's Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports /
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November 10, 2013; San Francisco, CA, USA; San Francisco 49ers outside linebacker Aldon Smith (99, center) rushes against Carolina Panthers tackle Nate Chandler (78) and quarterback Cam Newton (1) during the second quarter at Candlestick Park. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports
November 10, 2013; San Francisco, CA, USA; San Francisco 49ers outside linebacker Aldon Smith (99, center) rushes against Carolina Panthers tackle Nate Chandler (78) and quarterback Cam Newton (1) during the second quarter at Candlestick Park. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports /

The 2011 Draft

Here are the Baalke’s picks from the 2011 NFL Draft:

Round 1: Pick 7: LB Aldon Smith, Missouri

Round 2: Pick 36: QB Colin Kaepernick, Nevada

Round 3: Pick 80: DB Chris Culliver, South Carolina

Round 4: Pick 115: RB Kendall Hunter, Oklahoma St.

Round 5: Pick 163: G Daniel Kilgore, Appalachian St.

Round 6: Pick 182: WR Ronald Johnson, Southern California

Round 6: Pick 190: DB Colin Jones, Texas Christian

Round 7: Pick 211: DE Bruce Miller, Central Florida

Round 7: Pick 239: G Michael Person, Montana St.

Round 7: Pick 250: DB Curtis Holcomb, Florida A&M

Round 1: Pick 7: LB Aldon Smith, Missouri

Coming into the 2011 draft, Smith was regarded as the “biggest wild card” and “sleeper” by many draft experts, including Bleacher Report’s Danny Flynn. With the 7th overall pick, Baalke decides to swing for the fences and take the Missouri pass rusher.

Smith came out of the gate with 33.5 sacks in his first 32 games, but with continuing off-the-field issues, the 49ers had no choice but to release him.

Baalke should be credited for having the guts to take a player with pre-draft question marks. Smith played well in his tenure with the 49ers that was cut short due to arrests and suspensions.

Grade: A

49ERS
Jan 1, 2017; Santa Clara, CA, USA; San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick (7) looks down field during the second quarter against the Seattle Seahawks at Levis Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Neville E. Guard-USA TODAY Sports /

Round 2: Pick 36: QB Colin Kaepernick, Nevada

Kaepernick is a tough pick to grade, because of the uncertainty of who’s choice he was. Kaepernick was widely believed to be Harbaugh’s guy coming out college, so it’s hard to give Baalke the full credit here.

Although not a Pro-Bowl caliber player, Kaepernick was a capable starter in 2012 and 2013. He’s regressed in 2014-2016, but still his high points outweigh some his low points.

Grade: B

Round 3: Pick 80: DB Chris Culliver, South Carolina

2014 was a great year for Culliver, as he finally started to settle into a role as an outside cornerback. Too bad that was his last season as a 49er.

Culliver also took a long time to get into the flow of the defense. In the third round, it’s ideal to find some good rotational players that can stay with the team for a long time. Clearly, Culliver only spent three seasons in SF before departing for Washington.

He flashed starter potential, but has regressed back to the mean and will probably only be a supplementary piece from here on out.

Grade: C

Round 4: Pick 115: RB Kendall Hunter, Oklahoma St.

Hunter was a capable backup behind RB Frank Gore for the few seasons he was with San Francisco. He was a smaller back, but was a good complement to Gore.

Sadly, due to injury, Hunter is no longer with the 49ers after missing all of 2014. Again, another opportunity to add a depth player in the mid-rounds was missed out.

Grade: C

October 2, 2016; Santa Clara, CA, USA; San Francisco 49ers center Daniel Kilgore (67) during the first quarter against the Dallas Cowboys at Levi’s Stadium. The Cowboys defeated the 49ers 24-17. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports
October 2, 2016; Santa Clara, CA, USA; San Francisco 49ers center Daniel Kilgore (67) during the first quarter against the Dallas Cowboys at Levi’s Stadium. The Cowboys defeated the 49ers 24-17. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports /

Round 5: Pick 163: G Daniel Kilgore, Appalachian St.

A solid find for Baalke in the 5th round was Kilgore. Although he battled injuries earlier in his career, he’s come on strong as of late.

He started in 13 games this past season and will most likely be the starter again in 2017 under Kyle Shanahan.

Grade: B

Round 6: Pick 182: WR Ronald Johnson, Southern California

Who? Never played a snap for the 49ers. Wasted pick by Baalke. Next.

Grade: F

Round 6: Pick 190: DB Colin Jones, Texas Christian

Jones actually got to see action with the 49ers, primarily on special teams though. Baalke was hoping to find something special with Jones, unfortunately that wasn’t the case.

Grade: D

Round 7: Pick 211: DE Bruce Miller, Central Florida

Miller might have been one of Baalke’s finest picks. Taking a defensive end in college and converting him to fullback was a creative idea. If it weren’t for the off-the-field issues for Miller, he would still be on the 49ers as a solid starter.

Grade: B

Round 7: Pick 239: G Michael Person, Montana St.

Person didn’t see any action with the 49ers and landed with the Seahawks the next season. It’s the seventh round, so it’s rare to find a contributor.

Grade: F

Round 7: Pick 250: DB Curtis Holcomb, Florida A&M

Again, who? Didn’t see action with the 49ers and is now out of the NFL.

Grade: F

Overall 2011 Draft Grade: C+