The 2015 NFL Draft is complete and the San Francisco 49ers have 10 new players that will compete for roster spots during the offseason.
Once again, general manager Trent Baalke went with the best players available according to his draft board. The team had many needs to fill, including cornerback which was not touched in the draft. Baalke has stated numerous times that he feels comfortable with the corners on the team right now, including 2014 fifth round draft pick Keith Reaser, who is returning from a torn ACL.
While many feel that the team should be in a rebuilding mode, Baalke clearly believes that the 49ers are reloading instead, adding depth and competition at numerous positions.
Odds are that you have not seen all of our selections play football before. Here are some college highlights of some the team's newest additions.
Round 1: DT Arik Armstead of Oregon
Round 2: SS Jaquiski Tartt of Samford
Round 3: OLB Eli Harold of Virginia
Round 4: TE Blake Bell of Oklahoma
Video includes highlights at quarterback and tight end. Baalke has stated that, if needed, Bell could be an emergency quarterback for the team.
Round 4: RB Mike Davis of South Carolina
Round 4: WR DeAndre Smelter of Georgia Tech
He'll likely sit out most - if not all - of the 2015 season. However, when he is ready to go, Smelter could be special. He is one of the more interesting of the 49ers' 2015 selections.
Round 7: TE Rory 'Busta' Anderson of South Carolina
And for the fan that commented about punter highlights...
Round 5: P Bradley Pinion of Clemson
And a 62-yard field goal ... from 5 years ago.
The views within this article are those of the writer and, while just as important, are not necessarily those of the site as a whole.
Comment: I thought it was a solid draft overall. Tartt was early but Harold was a steal, so that evens out. Both good additions. I only have two real arguments... Armstead, I think, is the most obvious bust I can remember, and the punter... seems like a waste in the 5th.
Armstead's size did him little good in college, I don't see it doing him much good in the NFL. On top of that, being 6'8" is NOT an advantage for a 5-technique, where LEVERAGE and the ability to anchor is key. Yes, he stacks and sheds well, but he doesn't pursue laterally, and he's limited as a pass rusher. I think he's a third round talent.
Comment: From the highlights this is my N.F.L. comparisions past and present
1st round DE Arik Armstead.....looks like...a mix of Justin Smith/ Calais Champbell
2nd round S Jaquiski Tartt... looks like a Jeff Fuller/ Cam Chancelor
3rd round OLB Eli Harold...?
4th round TE Blake Bell looks like a mix between Vernon davis/Bavaro
4th round RB Mike Davis.....looks like a faster RB frank gore
4th round WR DeAndre Smelter....reminds me of 49er WR John Taylor
5th round P Bradley Pinion.....Raiders PK Sebastian Jancanski.....only he's a hell of a putter too
7th round TE Rory Busta Anderson.....TE Jeremey Shockey
Comment: IMHO it is a great draft. With the large WR undrafted list I believe WR will not be an issue. Smelter IS a key and a Boldin clone. He could be ready at some pojnt this year. With the signing of Chambers and I believe the signing of Briggs after may 12th the LB corps will be a strength again for he niners. Ward, Johnson, Reisner and Acker all can play. Now with Tartt in sub packages are DB situation is also strong. My only concern is Boone and his attitude! While an average gaurd he and V. Davis and their antics last year created issues that contributed to the niner unrest. Baelke is the real deal as is the niner front office. Harbaugh was the problem and now with a stronger coaching staff ..on the same page this will be a better year! Finally Chryst will let Kap be the player he is capable of being ...not an Andrew Luck clone!
Comment: Couldn't agree more with Ant!!!!! Every time Dahl came in for Reid he got burned. Davis is indeed baby Gore with great hands out of the backfield. If our O-line shows up, it's on this year!!!
Comment: Pick #1 Arik Armstead: we needed depth on the defensive line another run stopper & not to mention a possible replacement for Justin Smith. This pick was fine.
Pick #2 Jaquiski Tartt: everyone (including me) thought we were either going ILB, CB or WR but we took a safety. We already have 7 ILB, 8 CB & 6 WR on our roster. We only had 3 safeties on our roster before this pick. Safety was definitely a major need with E Reid concussion issues & the only backup being Craig Dahl. It's funny because if we didnt make this pick & E Reid got hurt we would be cursing Baalke for not taking a safety. ILB, CB or WR with this pick would not guarantee them a starting spot. Its Quinton Patton & Bruce Ellington time to shine & Jerome Simpson ain't no slouch.
Pick #3 We drafted a beast of a OLB. Prior to this pick we only had 4 OLB on the roster with Ahmad Brooks getting up in age & possibly getting shifted to ILB. This was a great pick.
Pick #4 Blake Bell: everyone knows we need a TE
Pick #5 Mike Davis: Can you say baby Gore. (A steal)
Pick #6 DeAndre Smelter: great pick (a steal). Good speed Great size, great route running, great BIG hands.
Comment: Receiver Baalke selected is not needed until next year. He's a mixture of Boldin/ T.O. Great pick. Bell Dozer tight end, another great pick. Our tight ends were all injured last year. This kid is 6-6 and huge Redzone target. Reminds me of Jason Witten. Armsted is going to be a beast. People are forgetting our picks from last year. Our defense is going to be lights out, very similar to Seattle. The safety we picked up is a BEAST!!!! Cam Chancelor with better coverage skills. Depth is what made the NINERS great in the 80's and we have it again. Watch and see folks, we are in for a treat.
Comment: Well, it's pretty obvious Baalke didn't draft based on need. In fact, not a single one of these picks is likely to start next season. As a 49er fan I'm very disappointed, and maybe someone can point out to Ballke that this nonsense of taking red-shirt rookies (Smelter) statistically never works out. Grade D, and Baalke, I believe your continued employment is "on the clock".
Comment: I have no clue what 49ers and Balke were doing???????
Passing on WR Becham and other very good players just don't make sense. 49ers got a D grade. Their first round pick is very similar to AJ Jenkin deal. Boom or Bust. You don't waste your 15th pick on boom or bust type player. I think Baalke will be fired in in next 2 years.
