What to do? My hope is that Baalke trades up as much as he can in order to increase the likelihood of acquiring impact players at the top of the draft. The following mock is selected using CBS' list of prospects and the rounds they project. As of today, both Lynch and Goff will be off the board in the first round and no other QB jumps off the charts. For this reason the niners may keep Kaepernick and try to rework his contract. If not they may trade or sign a FA veteran. I tried to find needs in order but it wasn't easy. Some reaches? Yup. But I can see the niners being very active to find their guys.
Athleticism and/or ferocity were the primary focus particularly in later rounds. Productivity is difficult to judge after the top few rounds.
R1.4: Jared Goff, QB, Cal, 6'4" 210 (change due to niner loss and injury to Jaylon Smith)
R2.38: Jason Spriggs, OT, ND, 6-6 305 (may be a good fit for ZBS as he is more mobile than power oriented)
R3.74: Spencer Drango, OG, Baylor, 6-6 320 (back surgery in 2012, quick and smart player)
R4.110: Bryce Williams, TE, E Carolina, 6-6 258 (smooth receiver, needs to bulk up for blocking)
R4 (comp): Blake Martinez, ILB, Stanford, 6-2 245 (good all around guy, fierce competitor)
R5 (own): Jack Allen, C, Michigan St, 6-2 298 (smart glue type center, more moxy than strength)
R5 (SD): Victor Ochi, OLB, Stony Brook, 6-2 250 (small school guy, lacks quick twitch)
R5 (comp): Mekale McKay, WR, Cincinnati, 6-4 195 (big target with good downfield speed)
R6 (Dallas): Leon Allen, RB, W Kentucky, 5-11 235 (IR?) (1550 run, 450 receiving yards as Junior)
R6 (Denver): Matt Ioannidis, DT, Temple, 6-3 292 (nonstop motor, good penetrator)
R6 (comp): Josh Forrest, ILB, Kentucky, 6-3 255 (more instinctive, may lack quickness)
R6 (comp): Jacoby Brissett, QB, NC St, 6-3 235 (athletic QB with some bad habits)
Free Agents
With the mess of an OL the niners need to bring in players to solidify the unit...quickly! So I would push to sign:
OC: the brain of the line needs an infusion of talent. Kilgore may be healthy but having competition is a must and Kilgore can always move to OG.
OLB: drafting a pass rusher is an iffy proposition and many take time to develop. Not sure who will be available but if they can nab one...do it!
ILB: same problem as OLB but maybe Hodges and a draft pick will suffice.
OT: also difficult to find, judged by how many teams are hurting on the OL. If they stay with ZBS it may be easier to find a FA/Draft pick. This would be higher but I doubt they can find one.
QB: I'm torn...keep Kaepernick and try to resurrect his career, find a veteran FA, or draft one. The niners are now slotted at #6 so Goff and Lynch may both be off the board. Gabbert is OK for now and to back up.
[ Edited by dtg_9er on Jan 2, 2016 at 5:46 PM ]