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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DENVER, CO – AUGUST 29: Offensive guard Ian Silberman #62 of the San Francisco 49ers looks on from the bench against the Denver Broncos during preseason action at Sports Authority Field at Mile High on August 29, 2015 in Denver, Colorado. The Broncos defeated the 49ers 19-12. (Photo by Doug Pensinger/Getty Images)
DENVER, CO – AUGUST 29: Offensive guard Ian Silberman #62 of the San Francisco 49ers looks on from the bench against the Denver Broncos during preseason action at Sports Authority Field at Mile High on August 29, 2015 in Denver, Colorado. The Broncos defeated the 49ers 19-12. (Photo by Doug Pensinger/Getty Images) /

. Offensive Guard. Boston College. IAN SILBERMAN. D

Getting into the final rounds of the NFL Draft, the hope was Trent Baalke would be able to find some late-round gems to round out a team going through a major transformation.

The 49ers had some glaring offensive line needs heading into 2015. Offensive guard Mike Iupati departed via free agency, and right tackle Anthony Davis retired (for the first time). As a result, the Niners offensive line would go from one of the stoutest in the NFL to ranking 31st in pass protection and dead last in run blocking that year, per Football Outsiders.

Boston College offensive lineman Ian Silberman was more a draft-and-develop prospect, receiving third-team All-ACC honors the previous year.

Despite the Niners’ O-line woes that year, Silberman managed to appear in just one game and was off the team the following year.

This investment didn’t work out, but the expectation level wasn’t very high anyway.