Niner Noise
FanSided

Redrafting the San Francisco 49ers’ horrible 2013 NFL Draft

By Peter Panacy

Feb 24, 2016; Indianapolis, IN, USA; San Francisco 49ers general manager Trent Baalke speaks to the media during the 2016 NFL Scouting Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 24, 2016; Indianapolis, IN, USA; San Francisco 49ers general manager Trent Baalke speaks to the media during the 2016 NFL Scouting Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports /
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Oct 6, 2016; Santa Clara, CA, USA; Arizona Cardinals cornerback Marcus Cooper (41) carries the ball on an interception return in the fourth quarter against the San Francisco 49ers during a NFL game at Levi’s Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 6, 2016; Santa Clara, CA, USA; Arizona Cardinals cornerback Marcus Cooper (41) carries the ball on an interception return in the fourth quarter against the San Francisco 49ers during a NFL game at Levi’s Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports /

Round 7, Pick No. 252: Defensive Back Marcus Cooper, Rutgers

Original Pick: Defensive Back Marcus Cooper

Hey, a pick where Trent Baalke actually got something right.

More from Niner Noise

Well, sort of. Former Rutgers defensive back Marcus Cooper never made the 49ers’ 53-man roster his rookie season, instead landing with the Kansas City Chiefs in 2013.

The only argument against Baalke here is he should have kept Cooper on the roster.

Sure, Cooper’s coverage skills have never turned into something Pro Bowl worthy. But he has been a bit of a ballhawk over his four years at the NFL level, logging seven interceptions, three of which were recorded in 2013.

San Francisco already had a decent crop of cornerbacks entering 2013, although Cooper would have been a nice contributor on both special teams and the depth chart that season.

Plus, his addition would have alleviated the need for Baalke to land a plethora of corners in the draft the following season. This would have, most likely, allowed the Niners’ former general manager to focus his efforts elsewhere.

And one can only think what he could/should have done with those picks, with the 2015 debacle less than a year away.

Next: Trent Baalke and the dismantling of a Super Bowl roster

Speaking of 2014, Niner Noise will revisit that draft and make our revisionist picks shortly. So stay tuned!