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) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
5 of 12
Next
OAKLAND, CA – DECEMBER 7: Guard Gabe Jackson #66 of the Oakland Raiders blocks against the San Francisco 49ers in the fourth quarter on December 7, 2014 at O.co Coliseum in Oakland, California. The Raiders won 24-13. (Photo by Brian Bahr/Getty Images)
OAKLAND, CA – DECEMBER 7: Guard Gabe Jackson #66 of the Oakland Raiders blocks against the San Francisco 49ers in the fourth quarter on December 7, 2014 at O.co Coliseum in Oakland, California. The Raiders won 24-13. (Photo by Brian Bahr/Getty Images) /

Round 3, Pick No. 77: Offensive Guard Gabe Jackson

Original Pick: Inside Linebacker Chris Borland

Former 49ers linebacker Chris Borland was part of the long line of draft picks netted by Trent Baalke in the trade that sent former quarterback Alex Smith to the Kansas City Chiefs in 2013.

Borland ended up being a stellar player for San Francisco his first, and only, season in the NFL.

As we all know, Borland retired after his rookie year. And while that production — 84 tackles, five passes defended and a sack — was more than impressive, the Niners never would have taken him if they knew he’d retire after just one season.

Instead, Baalke should have made some upgrades to the team’s offensive line.

This was a need too. Then-49ers guard, Mike Iupati, was headed towards free agency in 2015. And San Francisco wasn’t exactly in a situation, financially, to sign him to a long-term deal.

Baalke needed O-line help, especially on the interior, and former Mississippi State guard Gabe Jackson would have been an excellent pickup in Round 3.

Last year, Jackson posted an 81.1 overall grade, according to Pro Football Focus, which ranked him the 22nd best guard in the NFL in 2016.

Instead, Jackson went to the Raiders, where he continues to thrive.