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 – DECEMBER 28: Bruce Miller #49 of the San Francisco 49ers completes a pass for a touchdown in the third quarter against the Arizona Cardinals at Levi’s Stadium on December 28, 2014 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Don Feria/Getty Images) /

Seventh-round picks rarely make their way to starting roles at the NFL level. And when former Central Florida defensive lineman Bruce Miller was drafted in 2011, the Niners thought he might be better suited to play a lead-blocking role.

Hence the switch to fullback.

It was a role Miller relished during his five seasons in San Francisco. Over that stretch, the Niners even worked him into the receiving game, where he ended up hauling in 76 passes for 734 yards and three touchdowns.

That’s a pretty good investment for a seventh-round pickup.

Legal issues in 2016 forced the 49ers’ hand, and the team released him in September that year.