Team-by-Team Draft Recap: San Francisco 49ers
The 2014 NFL Draft was good to the 49ers. Armed with 12 selections going in, they were able to move up, move down and even acquire veterans. They traded a sixth round choice this year to the Jaguars for Blaine Gabbert and picks in next year’s draft to the Dolphins and Bills for offensive tackle Johnathan Martin and wide receiver Stevie Johnson, respectively. With one of the league’s strongest, but oldest, rosters from top to bottom, they were able to collect great value throughout.
Jimmie Ward, CB/S (Round 1, Pick 30)
Ward is a bit of a hybrid as a player who can line up at multiple positions on the defensive side of the ball. His immediate role will be as a nickel cornerback in 2014, but should challenge the underwhelming Chris Culliver as the season progresses. For IDP purposes his versatility and rookie status should make him a fairly decent play.
Carlos Hyde, RB (Round 2, Pick 57)
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This seemed like a big time luxury pick for a team already with Kendall Hunter and Marcus Lattimore behind Frank Gore but it makes a lot of sense if questions about Lattimore’s knees are lingering. Hyde is very Gore-like in the fact he isn’t a home run hitter, but he is a dependable grinder. Every year the Niners claim they’re going to incorporate another runner to lighten the load on Gore, but they have yet to do so. Gore really hit a wall at the end of 2013 so the time is now for another guy to step up. As shown with the Alex Smith – Colin Kaepernick situation, Coach Harbaugh doesn’t have an issue playing the best players, even though the locker room might not be as supportive of benching Gore as they were for Smith. With one of the league’s best, and deepest, offensive lines, Hyde has legit RB1 upside down the road. Even though Bishop Sankey has a quicker, clearer path to a starting position, I prefer Hyde long term.
Marcus Martin, C (Round 3, Pick 70)
The number one center on a lot of team’s boards, the Niners identified their heir apparent to current starter, and 13-year veteran, Jonathan Goodwin.
Chris Borland, ILB (Round 3, Pick 77)
This was a great depth signing on the defensive side of the ball and an immediate insurance policy for NaVarro Bowman for the beginning of 2014. He could have been a big time IDP asset on another team looking for a long term starter at inside linebacker, but instead he’ll be buried behind All-Pros Bowman and Patrick Willis.
Brandon Thomas, OT (Round 3, Pick 100)
Thomas was climbing pre-draft big boards until he tore his ACL while working out for the Saints. He lands in a great spot and will spend the year on the PUP / Injured Reserve list. If the team lets Mike Iuapati walk next off-season, Thomas will step into the starting lineup.
Bruce Ellington, WR (Round 4, Pick 106)
Ellington should provide the team with a clear-out option on a run-first team, but probably won’t ever be much of a consistent fantasy producer.
Dontae Johnson, CB (Round 4, Pick 129)
A big corner (6’2”, 200 lbs) with good speed (4.45 second 40-yard dash), Johnson projects well in the 49ers defensive scheme. As most cornerbacks, he probably won’t be fantasy relevant.
Aaron Lynch, LB (Round 5, Pick 150)
Outside of the Carlos Hyde pick, this was my favorite pick for the Niners. Lynch was an exciting freshman at Notre Dame before transferring to the University of South Florida. As a rookie he’ll see the field as a pass rushing specialist and possibly more depending on the legal outcome of Aldon Smith’s many run-ins with the law. He obviously has more value in sack heavy leagues because he’ll never be a high tackle guy, but he’s a guy to track closely. I really believe he would have been a first round pick had he stayed at Notre Dame.
Keith Reaser, CB (Round 5, Pick 170)
The Niners have this down to an art form. Reaser tore his ACL during his senior year and will join Brandon Thomas on the PUP list his rookie year.
Kenneth Acker, CB (Round 5, Pick 180)
Acker will have an uphill battle cracking the 53-man roster but if there is any position on this team he has a chance, it’s at cornerback.
Kaleb Ramsey, DE (Round 7, Pick 243)
It would be a real shock if he made the team.
Trey Millard, FB (Round 7, Pick 245)
The Niners are one of the last few teams to truly utilize a traditional fullback and Millard has the ability to do it all. He can run block, pass block, and run routes. He won’t overtake Bruce Miller but could push Will Tukuafu off the roster. Regardless, his greatest fantasy asset will be blocking for Gore, Hyde, or Lattimore.
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