49ers: Top 20 NFL Draft picks from former general manager Trent Baalke

San Francisco 49ers: Top 20 NFL draft picks from former general manager Trent Baalke

SANTA CLARA, CA - JANUARY 20: San Francisco 49ers general manager Trent Baalke speaks to the media during a press conference where Chip Kelly was announced as the new head coach of the San Francisco 49ers at Levi's Stadium on January 20, 2016 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images) /

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SANTA CLARA, CA – OCTOBER 23: Arik Armstead #91 of the San Francisco 49ers reacts after a sack of Jameis Winston #3 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during their NFL game at Levi’s Stadium on October 23, 2016 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images) /

On one hand, former Oregon defensive end Arik Armstead could have easily slipped well below No. 17 in Round 1 of the 2015 NFL Draft where the 49ers selected him.

Yet Trent Baalke traded down from No. 15 overall to make this move, suggesting he was doing all in his power to maximize the value for the then-talented-but-raw defensive lineman.

Armstead had limited impact his rookie year, spending most of the time subbing in as a situational interior rusher in obvious passing downs. His second year could have been prolific, but a nagging shoulder injury limited Armstead to just eight games.

Still, the numbers from these two seasons speak for themselves:

Armstead’s ability versus the pass is a reason San Francisco slotted him in as a starting edge rusher entering 2017, earning him a solid 10th place on our list.