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What the 49ers’ 2017 NFL Draft would have looked like under Trent Baalke

By Logan Stanley

SANTA CLARA, CA - DECEMBER 28: San Francisco 49ers General Manager Trent Baalke walks onto the field during pregame warm ups against the Arizona Cardinals at Levi's Stadium on December 28, 2014 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Don Feria/Getty Images)
SANTA CLARA, CA - DECEMBER 28: San Francisco 49ers General Manager Trent Baalke walks onto the field during pregame warm ups against the Arizona Cardinals at Levi's Stadium on December 28, 2014 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Don Feria/Getty Images) /
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Dec 31, 2016; Orlando , FL, USA; LSU Tigers safety Jamal Adams (33) against the Louisville Cardinals during the first half at Camping World Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 31, 2016; Orlando , FL, USA; LSU Tigers safety Jamal Adams (33) against the Louisville Cardinals during the first half at Camping World Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports /

Round 1, No. 2: Safety Jamal Adams

Who and where they actually drafted: Defensive lineman Solomon Thomas, No. 3

Right off the bat is where I see the difference already happening between the two regimes. I do not believe Baalke makes the same move as Lynch does, as it was an absolutely fleecing of the Chicago Bears (when was the last time you remember Baalke ‘win’ a trade?), nor do I think Baalke is aggressive as Lynch was.

During his time heading the 49ers, it was basically almost always defense in the first round for Baalke — in five of the seven drafts as general manager, it was defense first.

Baalke heavily considers linebacker Reuben Foster here at No. 2, but is eventually scared off by Foster’s injured shoulder as he knows he cannot afford to select another injured player to only see that individual never make an impact.

Baalke decides to go with the next best defensive player not named Myles Garrett, and selects the hard-hitting safety out of LSU, Jamal Adams. It’s a safe pick for Baalke, one that he hopes will sew up the secondary’s patches and ensure his spot as general manager.