Niner Noise
FanSided

Redrafting the 49ers’ questionable 2014 NFL Draft

By Peter Panacy

Commissioner Roger Goodell names a pick by the San Francisco 49ers during the 2016 NFL Draft (Photo by Jon Durr/Getty Images)
Commissioner Roger Goodell names a pick by the San Francisco 49ers during the 2016 NFL Draft (Photo by Jon Durr/Getty Images) /
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JACKSONVILLE, FL – SEPTEMBER 20: Allen Robinson #15 of the Jacksonville Jaguars crosses the goal line for a touchdown during the game against the Miami Dolphins at EverBank Field on September 20, 2015 in Jacksonville, Florida. (Photo by Sam Greenwood/Getty Images)
JACKSONVILLE, FL – SEPTEMBER 20: Allen Robinson #15 of the Jacksonville Jaguars crosses the goal line for a touchdown during the game against the Miami Dolphins at EverBank Field on September 20, 2015 in Jacksonville, Florida. (Photo by Sam Greenwood/Getty Images) /

Round 2, Pick No. 57: Wide Receiver Allen Robinson

Original Pick: Running Back Carlos Hyde

The Niners needed to find an heir apparent for then-No. 1 running back Frank Gore, so the trade-down and selection of former Ohio State tailback Carlos Hyde made a lot of sense.

Hyde was supposed to be a tremendous offensive weapon. And San Francisco fans have seen glimpses of this ever since. The only problem is Hyde has never delivered the kind of production many thought he would offer when the 49ers grabbed him in Round 2 of the 2014 draft.

San Francisco 49ers
San Francisco 49ers /

San Francisco 49ers

With rookie running back Joe Williams in town for the Niners entering 2017, Hyde’s tenure in Santa Clara could be in jeopardy.

Remember, Trent Baalke already drafted quarterback Derek Carr in this revisit of 2014 actions. Carr now needs a weapon — a young player with plenty of promise.

I boiled this down to two options: wide receivers Jarvis Landry (Miami Dolphins at No. 63 overall) and Allen Robinson (Jacksonville Jaguars at No. 61 overall).

But I went with Robinson over Landry based off two factors. First, Robinson is 6-foot-3, where Allen is 6-foot-0. It’s a slight difference, but the Niners red-zone offense had been terrible the years leading up to 2014.

And thoughts of failed last-minute touchdown passes in Super Bowl XLVII and the 2014 NFC Championship game called for a true red-zone threat.

Robinson is that.

In addition, Robinson posted 1,400 receiving yards and a league-leading 14 touchdown receptions in 2015. This was on a bad Jaguars offense that had Blake Bortles under center.

Good for Robinson to make the Pro Bowl that year.