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5 Worst NFL Draft Picks in San Francisco 49ers History

By Peter Panacy

Aug 20, 2016; Denver, CO, USA; A general view of the San Francisco 49ers helmet before game against the Denver Broncos at Sports Authority Field at Mile High. The 49ers beat the Broncos 31-24. Mandatory Credit: Troy Babbitt-USA TODAY Sports
Aug 20, 2016; Denver, CO, USA; A general view of the San Francisco 49ers helmet before game against the Denver Broncos at Sports Authority Field at Mile High. The 49ers beat the Broncos 31-24. Mandatory Credit: Troy Babbitt-USA TODAY Sports /
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No. 2: Wide Receiver A.J. Jenkins

No. 30 Overall in the 2012 NFL Draft

One could make the argument this pick began the long and problematic downfall of former 49ers general manager Trent Baalke.

Former Illinois wide receiver A.J. Jenkins was supposed to provide some reinforcement to a receiving corps in need of talent. Sure, the Niners of 2011 and 2012 were loaded with talent on both sides of the ball. But wideout Michael Crabtree’s tenure with the team was winding down, free-agent pickup Randy Moss was aging and there weren’t exactly a lot of bona fide receiving options on the roster elsewhere.

Jenkins couldn’t even get onto the active roster to start the season and ended up playing in just three games, being targeted once over the stretch — a pass which he dropped.

San Francisco traded Jenkins away the following season to the Kansas City Chiefs for another draft bust, wide receiver Jon Baldwin.

Baldwin didn’t pan out either, but at least the 49ers weren’t linked to Jenkins any longer.

At least on the roster.

Baalke never selected a wideout before Round 4 again.