Niner Noise
FanSided

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 – AUGUST 23: Punter Bradley Pinion #5 of the San Francisco 49ers kicks the ball away to the Dallas Cowboys in the second quarter of a preseason game on August 23, 2015 at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, California. The 49ers won 23-6. (Photo by Brian Bahr/Getty Images)
SANTA CLARA, CA – AUGUST 23: Punter Bradley Pinion #5 of the San Francisco 49ers kicks the ball away to the Dallas Cowboys in the second quarter of a preseason game on August 23, 2015 at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, California. The 49ers won 23-6. (Photo by Brian Bahr/Getty Images) /

. Punter. Clemson. BRADLEY PINION. D

At first, the 49ers’ selection of former Clemson punter Bradley Pinion seemed like a bit of a waste. His first two seasons at the NFL level were marked with inconsistency. And considering he was the first specialist taken in the 2015 NFL Draft, this particular selection hurt for a team that was in the process of losing a key group of core players.

Simply stated, the No. 165 overall pick should have been used on a role player. Not Pinion.

So the value and need marks this draft grade down quite a bit. Thankfully, though, Pinion has emerged as a relatively solid punter and kickoff specialist.

He’ll be on the Niners roster for the foreseeable future, which eliminates the possibility of this being a true wasted pick.

Although it would have been better if Trent Baalke targeted a specialist in undrafted free agency that year.