So far, the consensus has been that the new regime of the San Francisco 49ers drafted well in their first attempt in the 2017 NFL Draft. Let’s play some revisionist history, and imagine a world with former general manager Trent Baalke is still in control.
Early on in his tenure as general manager of the 49ers, Trent Baalke did have some key selections that played an integral part to the team’s success in the early 2010s.
But things went downhill quickly, with Baalke ultimately constructing a squad that went 5-11 and 2-14 in back-to-back seasons, respectively.
From the infamous 2012 NFL Draft, where not a single draftee from that class is currently on the team, to his habit of selecting players with torn ACLs, Baalke’s track record as general manager is spotty at best.
Change had to be brought forth after consecutive poor drafts and abysmal play on the field. Enter John Lynch, and it appears that the situation in Santa Clara has turned around regarding the front office.
To compare the two, let’s re-mock the 2017 draft as if Baalke were in control — is he as aggressive as Lynch? Does the final result end up being deemed as “successful” as Lynch’s?
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.
Round 2, No. 34: Wide receiver Zay Jones
Who and where they actually drafted: Linebacker Reuben Foster, No. 31
Operating under the premise that Baalke is nowhere near as aggressive as Lynch, I do not believe the previous regime makes the trade with the Seattle Seahawks to move back into Round 1, and arguably make the best selection of the draft.
Instead, Baalke hopes to finally draft a competent wide receiver, something that he literally failed to do in every single draft as general manager. It was by far one of his biggest weaknesses as an executive — his inability to select impactful skill players.
ECU product Zay Jones is the choice here, who in reality went to the Buffalo Bills at No. 36. With his wide catching radius and sure hands, Jones looks to add to a depleted 49ers wide receiver corps (one without Pierre Garçon and Marquise Goodwin, remember Baalke is still the general manager).
Round 3, No. 66: Linebacker Jordan Willis
Who and where they actually drafted: Cornerback Ahkello Witherspoon, No. 66
While heading the franchise, Baalke tended to stick to two positions in the third round: linebacker and offensive line.
A majority of those selections came at linebacker, four in total, and Baalke decides to stick to his tendencies when pick No. 66 rolls around. Plus, he’ll be on edge after missing out on the most of the draft’s top linebackers.
He goes with linebacker Kansas State University’s Jordan Willis, the best one available at this point in the draft.
Willis, being an edge defender, will look to play the position for the 49ers, as Arik Armstead never makes the switch — leaving the team without a true player to occupy that spot.
Round 4, No, 109: Running back Samaje Perine
Who and where they actually drafted: Quarterback C.J. Beathard, No. 104
It was a rarity for Baalke to draft a quarterback early. In fact, only once during his eight drafts did Baalke select a quarterback before Round 3 — Colin Kaepernick in 2011.
For some reason, it was not a position that Baalke prioritized early on in the draft. Whether it be he thought there was more value in waiting until later, or the risk was too great to select early, it was tradition for Baalke to just basically neglect quarterback come draft day.
That removes C.J. Beathard as the choice here, and instead inserts running back Samaje Perine. Offense in Round 4 was a common occurrence for Baalke, as eight out of his 10 selections in that round came on offense.
Baalke hopes to create a two-headed monster with Carlos Hyde and Perine, who also serves as insurance against the injury-prone Hyde.
Round 4, No. 143: Defensive lineman Carlos Watkins
Who and where they actually drafted: Running back Joe Williams, No. 121
Again, I believe Baalke isn’t pulling off the kinds of trades Lynch is, so the team remains at No. 143 instead of moving up. They go with defensive lineman Carlos Watkins, as there is a void in the interior of the 49ers’ defensive line (no Earl Mitchell).
With the selection, Baalke has the defense in mind as it’s an area desperately need of improvement. Particularly the rush defense, which was the worst in the NFL for the 2016 season. Watkins looks to solidify the interior of the defensive line, a spot of special weakness for the 49ers.
Round 5, No. 146: Offensive lineman Roderick Johnson
Who and where they actually drafted: Tight end George Kittle, No. 146
For Baalke, Round 5 was about to sticking to the positions that go overlooked — primarily offensive and defensive line and the secondary.
Sticking to his modus operandi as general manager, Baalke goes with tackle Roderick Johnson out of Florida State University.
Baalke loves drafting offensive linemen, with nearly 25 percent of his draft selections coming at that position, and it’s as every general manager should — those guys do the dirty work.
Johnson also provides backup to the aging and disgruntled Joe Staley, who is not enjoying football under the current regime and is bound to leave the team soon with Baalke still in control.
Round 5, No. 161: Cornerback Nate Hairston
Who and where they actually drafted: Wide receiver Trent Taylor, No. 177
With cornerback Rashard Robinson on the rise — thanks to the selection made by Baalke — the 49ers are in search‚for a No. 2 cornerback to pair with their second-year wonder. The latter rounds was where Baalke targeted his picks for the secondary.
Temple product Nate Hairston is the choice here, who looks to compete for a starting position. A look at Hairston’s draft profile from NFL Network’s Lance Zierlein:
"Raw but very moldable prospect. Hairston shows good awareness from zone and his physical style and willingness to come tackle make him an immediate fit for primarily zone cover teams. However he may have the tools to eventually become a solid bump-and-run cornerback as he becomes more experienced at the position."
Another project for Baalke, just how he likes it.
Round 6, No. 186: Tight End Bucky Hodges
Who and where they actually drafted: Defensive lineman D.J. Jones. No. 198 overall
For Baalke, it was all about offense in Round 6.
Out of 13 selections made in the sixth round by Baalke, 10 were on the offensive side of the ball. And even though Baalke has just handed current tight end Vance McDonald a lucrative contract extension, there is still depth needed at the position.
There’s no George Kittle or Logan Paulsen, meaning scarcity at tight end for the team. Baalke goes with Virginia Tech product Bucky Hodges. The 22-year-old Hodges will look to be the receiving option at tight end.
Hodges’ versatility is attractive to Baalke, who is a converted quarterback playing tight end.
Round 6, No. 202: Fullback Sam Rogers
Who and where they actually drafted: Defensive lineman Pita Taumoepenu, No. 202
With fullback Bruce Miller gone, and we all know there is no way that Baalke would have ever signed Kyle Juszczyk to the same deal that Lynch did, there is a gaping hole at the position for the 49ers.
Literally, there is nobody on the roster who is a fullback. It is a need for the team, but Baalke waits until the latter portion of the draft to pull the trigger.
Virginia Tech’s Sam Rogers is who Baalke goes with, and he’ll have an inside shot at becoming the starting fullback for the 49ers. As well as lead blocking for Hyde and Perine, Rogers possesses the ability to be a productive receiver.
During his career, he amassed 802 yards and seven touchdowns on 77 receptions.
Round 7, No. 219: Quarterback Chad Kelly
Who and where they actually drafted: Safety Adrian Colbert, No. 229
I mean, is it really a Trent Baalke draft without a torn ACL involved? Sticking to his guns on quarterbacks, Baalke waits until the 49ers final selection to address the position. With Colin Kaepernick and Blaine Gabbert both gone, there is a need.
Combined with being maybe the most controversial player in the draft due to off-the-field instances and his torn ACL, Kelly slides all the way down to Round 7, where Baalke snags him with the hopes of getting the steal of the draft.
It’s a project for the team, but we know just how much Baalke loves those projects.
Next: San Francisco 49ers’ to-do list for remainder of offseason
So, with this re-mock how did the Baalke regime fare? Better? Worse? I think with the trades Lynch made, it’s hard to top that.
Luckily revisionist history is just a fantasy, and we don’t have to imagine a world with Baalke leading the 49ers anymore.