http://www.nfl.com/draft/2015/profiles/melvin-gordon?id=2552469
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HsnQkFKz2t4
The debate over Gordon/Gurley is a hot topic among NFL evaluators and fans. I'm not sure it is an easy answer because of Gurley's injury but Gordon is a better fit for the 49ers in my eyes. I also tend to think Gurley will be gone by the 15th pick. With Melvin Gordon you get a perfect compliment to Carlos Hyde. He is big enough to hold up between the tackles and quick enough to be an elite receiver out of the backfield. I think Baalke passes on CB and DL in Round 1. At CB, Baalke knows he has the ability to find mid round prospects to go along with a handful of promising young talent already on the roster from last year's draft class (Dontae Johnson, Keith Reaser, Kenneth Acker and even Jimme Ward as a CB/S). He will likely add another in the mid rounds this year and not spend an early pick at the position in my opinion. At DL, the questions involve who will fill the void of Ray McDonald and possibly Justin Smith. Carradine can be plugged in for McDonald and Dockett is insurance for Cowboy (who still may be back). That all leaves Baalke with the ability to bolster the RB corps after the loss of Frank Gore. Keep in mind Kendall Hunter and Reggie Bush are both on one year contracts. Baalke also passes on WR in the 1st and gets our guy in the 2nd round.
Round 2 Devin Smith WR Ohio State University
http://www.nfl.com/draft/2015/profiles/devin-smith?id=2552459
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iJoIcwZD1Po
Smith is not only a burner, he is one of the better prospects in the draft when it comes to fighting for the ball downfield. His production was lessened due to the heavy reliance of a run game by the Buckeyes and changes at the QB position. Through all of this, he made the most of his play by averaging 28 yards per catch. He has championship pedigree and is by all counts is a positive kid. All of that said, Smith is also a perfect fit in the 49ers offense. With Kaepernick's arm and the newly acquired Torrey Smith, the receiving corps will be a tough matchup. Watch the first highlight of the youtube video. WOW!
Round 3 ILB Denzel Perryman University of Miami
http://www.nfl.com/draft/2015/profiles/denzel-perryman?id=2552310
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7tdIrCNR1Ec
Everyone knows that ILB is going to be a priority in the first three rounds. Perryman is a physical tone setter that will knock your hat off. The negatives on him are that he doesn't have elite speed and that he was exposed in pass coverage. I don't care. He is going to play in the league for a decade and be productive. He doesn't miss tackles and he is a proven leader on the field. The ILB class is rather weak this year with possibly no first round picks at the position. I think Paul Dawson, Eric Kendricks, Stephone Anthony and maybe even Bernardrick McKinney go before him in the draft. He is a third round grade by many and will be there for Baalke to pluck.
Round 4 DE Mario Edwards Jr. Florida State University
http://www.nfl.com/draft/2015/profiles/mario-edwards,%20jr.?id=2552445
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=98jhWbH0tTE
Many believe there is more talent in Edwards compared to what he has shown thus far. He is a pure 3-4 DE that can use his upper body strength to manipulate unsound offensive lineman. He comes from a program that the staff knows well. I think he would thrive under Tomsula and become a Ray McDonald type of player. Really has the potential to be a cog in our system.
Round 4 Compensatory CB Bobby McCain University of Memphis
http://www.nfl.com/draft/2015/profiles/bobby-mccain?id=2552434
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IvlNp7CvZek
McCain isn't a big corner and projects as a slot guy but he is an absolute gamer. His athleticism is top notch as shown by his 11 interceptions over the past two seasons. He competes for every ball and makes plays that you don't see many CB's make. He will allow Jimmie Ward to ease back into the Safety position. Very fluid hips and is a capable run support CB.
Round 5 OG Daryl Williams University of Oklahoma
http://www.nfl.com/draft/2015/profiles/daryl-williams?id=2552357
Williams is a solid run blocker who has good size at 6'5" 327 pounds. He does a great job of getting his hands on defenders and finishing them off in the run game. Pass blocking is adequate but could use some work. He isn't the most athletic lineman you will find but he gets the job done. With Iupati leaving, he provides another body to compete in training camp. His long arms (35 inches) also allow for a possible swing tackle candidate.
Round 6 CB Nick Marshall Auburn University
http://www.nfl.com/draft/2015/profiles/nick-marshall?id=2552575
All of the measurables point to Nick Marshall being a Baalke CB prospect. He has length (6'1") and long arms (32 1/8"). The only downside is that CB is a new position for the former Auburn cornerback. Marshall is a proven leader with big game skills. I don't think it will be a difficult move for him as he played CB for 13 games at Georgia in 2011. This is a gamble that Baalke can afford to make and he could possibly find it being a fortuitous one.
Round 7 FB Jeff Luc University of Cincinnati
http://www.nfl.com/draft/2015/profiles/jeff-luc?id=2553101
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QhfFNRQN92c
The 49ers go with another collegiate defensive player to play FB. With Bruce Miller's legal situation, depth needs to be added at the position. Luc is a great athlete who stood up blockers at linebacker in college. Many scouts, including myself, think Luc has the potential to be a Pro Bowl player at FB. If he can't make the transition, he is a good enough athlete to make a career on special teams.
Round 7 Compensatory QB Taylor Heinicke Old Dominion University
http://www.nfl.com/draft/2015/profiles/taylor-heinicke?id=2552472
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eJWVwSTYYX4
From the FBS startup program at Old Dominion, Heinicke is a solid QB prospect to develop. He has a competitive fire like Drew Brees and is sneaky athletic (4.6 40 and 35 inch vertical). He isn't physically imposing at 6'1" and doesn't have an elite arm. However, he did throw for over 700 yards in a game a couple of years ago against New Hampshire. Very good pocket presence with the ability to escape the pocket when things collapse. I think he is being overlooked by many around the country.
Depth Chart:
QB Kaepernick / Gabbert / Heinicke
RB Hyde / Gordon / Bush / Hunter
FB Miller / Millard / Luc
WR T. Smith / Boldin / D. Smith / Simpson / Ellington / Patton
TE Davis / McDonald / Carrier / Celek
OT Staley / Davis / Pears / Williams
OG Boone / Thomas / Williams / Martin / Kilgore
C Kilgore / Martin
DE Dockett / (possible J. Smith) / Carradine / Jerrod-Eddie / Edwards Jr. / Ramsey
DT Dorsey / Williams / Dial
OLB A. Smith / Lynch / Brooks / Lemonier
ILB Bowman / Perryman / Wilhoite / Moody / Bishop / Skov
CB Brock / Wright / Johnson / McCain / Cook / Reaser / Acker / Marshall
S Reid / Bethea / Ward / Dahl