Niner Noise
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San Francisco 49ers: Regrading the 2015 NFL Draft class three years later

By Peter Panacy

INDIANAPOLIS, IN - FEBRUARY 22: Defensive lineman Arik Armstead of Oregon competes during the 2015 NFL Scouting Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium on February 22, 2015 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images)
INDIANAPOLIS, IN - FEBRUARY 22: Defensive lineman Arik Armstead of Oregon competes during the 2015 NFL Scouting Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium on February 22, 2015 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images) /
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SANTA CLARA, CA – SEPTEMBER 03: Rory Anderson #48 of the San Francisco 49ers catches a touchdown pass while covered by Richard Crawford #35 of the San Diego Chargers during their NFL preseason game at Levi’s Stadium on September 3, 2015 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)
SANTA CLARA, CA – SEPTEMBER 03: Rory Anderson #48 of the San Francisco 49ers catches a touchdown pass while covered by Richard Crawford #35 of the San Diego Chargers during their NFL preseason game at Levi’s Stadium on September 3, 2015 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images) /

Tight End. South Carolina. BUSTA ANDERSON. D-.

On paper, it looked as if former South Carolina tight end Rory “Busta” Anderson was going to be another one of those late-round finds 49ers fans were clamoring for during the final years of the Trent Baalke era.

After all, Anderson looked the part of a mismatch nightmare, coming in at 6-foot-4 and 246 pounds with a combination of good speed and strength.

It never materialized on the field, though. Anderson did flash some moments of brilliance during the preseason, including a touchdown pass against the San Diego Chargers his rookie year. Yet he spent 2015 watching from the sidelines, even though the Niners were desperately hurting for offensive impact players.

Anderson didn’t make the 2016 roster and spent limited time with the Chicago Bears and Buffalo Bills before being out of the league.

Baalke targeting Anderson late wasn’t a terrible idea, which bumps the grade up from an F. Yet the sheer lack of impact makes it impossible to grade this selection out anything higher than a D-minus.

Next: 49ers' best and worst picks from the 2018 NFL Draft

Meanwhile, let’s hope the 49ers’ 2018 NFL Draft class winds up being graded very favorably three years from now.