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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ARLINGTON, TX – SEPTEMBER 07: Guard Mike Iupati #77 of the San Francisco 49ers during the NFL game against the Dallas Cowboys at AT&T Stadium on September 7, 2014 in Arlington, Texas. The 49ers defeated the Cowboys 28-17. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images) /

One of Trent Baalke’s biggest needs his first NFL Draft was to reinforce a San Francisco offensive line that had largely underwhelmed in previous seasons.

So that’s what Baalke did, bringing in former Rutgers tackle Anthony Davis (No. 11 overall) and moving up to grab former Idaho offensive guard Mike Iupati at No. 17.

Iupati ended up starting right away for San Francisco his rookie year and was a mainstay for the team’s O-line through the dominant years under former head coach Jim Harbaugh. And during that tenure, Iupati managed three consecutive Pro Bowl nods from 2012 through 2014 and a first-team All-Pro selection as well.

Too bad the Niners pinned their hopes on Davis’ returning in 2015 rather than re-signing Iupati, who eventually left via free agency to the Arizona Cardinals.