The San Francisco 49ers produced one of the more disappointing seasons since 2011 after suffering from the loss of key players and a transformation to the entire coaching staff. However, there is always a silver lining associated to failure in the NFL as the 49ers were “rewarded” with the seventh overall pick in the 2016 NFL Draft. The last time the 49ers had a top-10 pick in the draft was in 2011 when they selected Aldon Smith from Missouri. Many people were initially critical of this pick, however Smith turned out to be a star defensive player, aside from his off the field issues that have derailed his NFL career.

This offseason the 49ers are faced with a steep uphill battle as there are numerous positional needs that will have to be filled in order to get the team back to contention in the rugged NFC West. Below are some of the top prospects that the team may look to add in the first round during the NFL Draft on April 28th in Chicago.

Myles Jack (LB/RB) Junior | 6-1 / 245 LBS. | Age: 20 | UCLA

Jack might be the most physically gifted prospect in this year’s draft, however he was unable to display such athleticism during the NFL Combine while recovering from rehabilitation for his knee. At linebacker NaVorro Bowman is the heart and soul of the 49ers roster, but the addition of Jack would immensely help the team’s defense that ranked 29th in total yards allowed this past season. Bowman and Jack anchoring the defense side-by-side could potentially bring about flashbacks of past memories featuring the Double Mint Twins (Willis and Bowman).



Although Jack did not participate in the NFL Combine he should be healthy and ready for his Pro Day to give all 32 teams a glimpse of how he can alter games on both sides of the ball as he did for UCLA. The likelihood that Jack plays running back in the NFL is slim considering how rare it is to see a two-way athlete, but crazier things have happened especially if he is learning plays under Chip Kelly. The main focus of his NFL career will be at linebacker where he has excelled in college with sideline-to-sideline quickness and above average pass coverage. One of the main areas that Jack can improve upon is rushing the passer and if the 49ers select him, Bowman should certainly be able to lend him some tips.

NFL.com Draft Ranking:

#3 Overall

2015 Season [Junior]:

Started three games at linebacker prior to suffering season-ending knee injury (torn anterior meniscus) in practice.

Recorded 15 tackles and one interception in three games.

Left UCLA to begin rehabilitation process and prepare for the NFL Draft.

2014 Stats [Sophomore]:

Started all 13 games at linebacker.

Recorded 88 tackles (8 for loss), and seven pass deflections.

Recorded 28 carries for 113 yards and three touchdowns.

Second Team All-Pac-12.

2013 Stats [Freshman]:

Started 12 games and played in all 13 (11 starts at linebacker and one at running back).

Recorded 75 tackles, 11 pass deflections, and two interceptions (one INT TD).

Recorded 38 carries for 267 yards and seven touchdowns.

First Team All-American by Athlon Sports as an all-purpose player.

Honorable Mention All-American by Sports Illustrated.

Second Team All-Pac-12.

Offensive and Defensive Freshman of the Year in the Pac-12.

Finalist for the Paul Hornung Award (nation’s most versatile player).

2016 NFL Combine Results:

Did not participate due to rehabilitation for knee injury.

Alternate Linebacker Prospects:

Reggie Ragland [ILB] Alabama (#10 Overall)*

Jaylon Smith [OLB] Notre Dame (#9 Overall)*

Ronnie Stanley (OT) | 6-6 / 315 LBS. | Age: 20 | Notre Dame

Offensive linemen selected during the NFL Draft in the top-ten is rarely a sexy pick in the eyes of most NFL fans. However, Laremy Tunsil and Ronnie Stanley are both can’t-miss prospects that should not be kept waiting for long on April 28th. Tunsil has been linked to the Titans with the number one overall pick and should not fall out of the top-5. Stanley is equally as dominant and would make a lot of sense for the 49ers to call his name with the seventh overall pick. The recent news of Anthony Davis (OT) applying for reinstatement to the NFL and wanting to return to the 49ers is some of the best news 49ers fans have received in a long time, but the team is also expecting to lose Alex Boone (OG) in free agency.

The 49ers offensive line in 2015 was disappointing and painful to watch at times aside from the continued success of Pro Bowl left tackle Joe Staley. If the 49ers are unable to retain Boone in free agency both guard positions will need to be filled and Stanley, who has only played tackle in college, should be able to shift over to join Staley or Davis on one side of the line. There is no guarantee that he is destined to play guard at the next level, but the 49ers offensive line will require some rebuilding this offseason either in the draft or free agency in order to successfully employ Chip Kelly’s offensive efforts.

NFL.com Draft Ranking:

#15 Overall

2015 Season [Junior]:

Started all 13 games at left tackle.

Returned to the Fighting Irish for the 2015 CFB season after being mentioned as the top offensive tackle to potentially enter the 2015 NFL Draft.

2015 Polynesian College Football Player of the Year.

2014 Season [Sophomore]:

Started all 13 games at left tackle.

Recorded 16 knockdown blocks and allowed just one sack.

Faced top defensive linemen including Michigan’s Frank Clark, Arizona State’s Marcus Hardison, Louisville’s Sheldon Rankins, LSU’s Daniel Hunter, and USC’s Leonard Williams.

2013 Stats [Redshirt Freshman]:

Started all 13 games at right tackle.

Part of an offensive line that allowed just eight sacks, which ranked second in the FBS in fewest sacks allowed.

2012 Stats [Freshman]:

Appeared in two games as a reserve offensive lineman (Navy and Michigan).

2016 NFL Combine Results:

40 YD : 5.20 SEC

: 5.20 SEC Bench (225) : DNP

: DNP Vertical Jump : DNP

: DNP Broad Jump : DNP

: DNP Shuttle : 4.90 SEC

: 4.90 SEC 3-Cone Drill : 8.03 SEC

Alternate Offensive Linemen Prospects:

Laremy Tunsil [OT] Ole Miss (#1 Overall)*

Taylor Decker [OT] Ohio State (#26 Overall)*

Vernon Hargreaves III (CB) | 5-11 / 195 LBS. | Age: 20 | Florida

Hargreaves is my favorite prospect in this year’s draft class for many reasons. Throughout his collegiate career he was regarded as one of the top cornerbacks in the country even as a true freshman. Prior to committing to the University of Florida, Hargreaves was a finalist for the Florida Mr. Football award and was also named MVP of the Under Armour All-American game. From day one on campus as a Florida Gator he was able to make an immediate impact and eventually went on earn three consecutive First Team All-SEC and two All-American honors (2014 and 2015).

Hargreaves is in close competition with Clemson’s Mackensie Alexander as the second ranked cornerback and has been overshadowed by Florida State’s Jalen Ramsey in this year’s NFL Draft process. Ramsey deserves the high praise he is receiving, but I believe that Hargreaves is a top-10 talent and is the best true-cornerback prospect available. Ramsey has been compared to Patrick Peterson and this comparison itself is something that NFL teams should not ignore, however there are questions as to whether he will play safety or cornerback after excelling at both positions in college. The 49ers have ample depth on their roster at cornerback and a lot of young talent at the position, but in recent years they have not had a shutdown corner that most current playoff teams possess. The closest thing to such talent would have been Carlos Rogers and Tarell Brown who started for the 49ers in 2011 to 2013, but neither player was a superstar. Hargreaves is certainly not pegged to become an immediate superstar, but the potential is there and will be hard for secondary-needy teams to pass on in the first round like the 49ers.

NFL.com Draft Ranking:

#11 Overall

2015 Season [Junior]:

Started all 12 games at cornerback.

Recorded 33 tackles, four interceptions, four pass deflections, and one forced fumble.

First Team All-SEC.

2015 Jim Thorpe Award Finalist.

2014 Season [Sophomore]:

Started all 12 games at cornerback.

Recorded 50 tackles, three interceptions, 13 pass deflections, and two fumble recoveries.

First Team All-SEC.

First Team All-American.

2013 Stats [Freshman]:

Started 10 of 12 games at cornerback as a true freshman.

Recored 38 tackles, three interceptions, and 10 pass deflections.

First Team All-SEC.

2016 NFL Combine Results:

40 YD : 4.50 SEC

: 4.50 SEC Bench (225) : 15 REPS

: 15 REPS Vertical Jump : 39.0 INCH

: 39.0 INCH Broad Jump : 130.0 INCH

: 130.0 INCH Shuttle : 3.98 SEC

: 3.98 SEC 3-Cone Drill : DNP

Alternate CB Prospects:

Jalen Ramsey [CB/FS] Florida State (#2 Overall)*

Mackensie Alexander [CB] Clemson (#19 Overall)*

Jared Goff (QB) | 6-4 / 210 LBS. | Age: 21 | Cal

Mock drafts are always entertaining and rarely correct. If there is any validity to most mock drafts that have been published by NFL analysts, the 49ers will be selecting Goff with the seventh overall pick. Quarterback has been highlighted as the top need for the 49ers this offseason and although I agree with this to a certain extent, the entire storyline changes if Colin Kaepernick remains on the team for the upcoming season. Many fans are fed up with Kaepernick and happy to hear of the news that he wants to be traded, but there is upside with the marriage of Chip Kelly’s playbook with Kaepernick’s strengths. The majority of quarterbacks in the NFL would have struggled this past season behind the abysmal efforts put forth by the 49ers offensive line. Kaepernick did regress in 2015 from past seasons, but I do not think that it is the right time to give up and toss him aside. If Chip Kelly and Trent Baalke welcome Kaepernick back to help renovate the offense the team should continue to look for a quarterback later in the draft and ultimately use the seventh overall pick for the most talented prospect available.

If Kaepernick is traded, released, or no longer a 49er this upcoming season, I do think that it is in the best interest for the organization to draft Goff in the first round. Goff shattered records at Cal previously held by Aaron Rodgers and was feared by many NCAA defensive units as one of the top passing threats during his three-year college campaign. Goff was born and raised in the Bay Area as a 49ers fan, played high school football in Marin County, and quickly became known as one of the most exciting Bay Area athletes while in college. The statistics speak for themself and the 49ers may not want to risk passing on another top-tier quarterback from Cal as they did in 2005.

NFL.com Draft Ranking:

#8 Overall

2015 Season [Junior]:

Started all 13 games at quarterback.

Completed 341 of 529 (64.5%) passes for 4,719 yards, 43 touchdowns (both Pac-12 records), and 13 interceptions.

Helped Cal’s offense rank third nationally in passing, eighth in total offense, and 17th in scoring offense.

First Team All-Pac-12.

2015 Davey O’Brien National Quarterback Award Finalist.

Led Cal to its first bowl victory (Lockheed Martin Armed Forces Bowl) since 2008 after throwing for 467 yards and six touchdowns against Air Force.

2014 Season [Sophomore]:

Started all 12 games at quarterback.

Completed 316 of 509 (62.1%) passes for 3,973 yards, 35 touchdowns, and seven interceptions.

Broke his own single-season school passing yards and touchdown record from 2013 before breaking both marks again in 2015.

Honorable Mention All-Pac-12.

2013 Stats [Freshman]:

Started all 13 games at quarterback as a true freshman.

Completed 320 of 531 (60.3%) passes for 3,508 yards, 18 touchdowns, and 10 interceptions.

Finished one completion, 28 passing attempts, 48 total plays, and 294 yards shy of NCAA FBS freshman single-season records.

Only true freshman quarterback in Cal history to start the team’s season opener.

Honorable Mention All-Pac-12.

2016 NFL Combine Results:

40 YD : 4.82 SEC

: 4.82 SEC Bench (225) : DNP

: DNP Vertical Jump : 27.0 INCH

: 27.0 INCH Broad Jump : 110.0 INCH

: 110.0 INCH Shuttle : DNP

: DNP 3-Cone Drill : 7.17 SEC

Alternate Quarterback Prospects:

Carson Wentz [QB] North Dakota State (#7 Overall)*

Paxton Lynch [QB] Memphis (#21 Overall)*

DeForest Buckner (DE/DT) | 6-7 / 290 LBS. | Age: 21 | Oregon

Buckner has the deepest roots correlated with the current 49ers organization. Chip Kelly was responsible for recruiting and eventually coaching Buckner at the University of Oregon and his former teammate and “gargantuan” friend was drafted in the first round by the 49ers just a year ago. Buckner has a very similar frame as Arik Armstead (both 6-7 / 290+ LBS), but appears to be a step ahead of the 49ers rookie defensive end in numerous categories. Not only does Buckner have more experience playing the game of football than Armstead, he was also able to obtain more national recognition and awards during his time in Eugene. Placing aside the Oregon comparison, Buckner is a top-10 talent that headlines one of the best defensive linemen groups there has been in NFL Draft history.

Many NFL fans took full notice of how prevalent the saying “defense wins championships” is with the 2015 Denver Broncos. From 2011 to 2013 the 49ers were viewed in the NFL as one of the stingiest defenses in the league, but this has slowly diminished over the past two seasons with free agency and retirements. This offseason the 49ers have an opportunity to rebuild their defense back into the feared unit they once were and drafting the Pac-12 Defensive Player of the Year would undoubtedly aid in this process.

NFL.com Draft Ranking:

#5 Overall

2015 Season [Senior]:

Started all 13 games at defensive end.

Recorded 83 tackles (17 for a loss), 10.5 sacks, five pass deflections, and one fumble recovery.

Pac-12 Defensive Player of the Year.

First Team All-Pac-12.

First Team All-American (USA Today).

Second Team All-American (AP).

Morris Trophy winner (voted on by opposing Pac-12 offensive linemen).

One of six finalists for the Ted Hendricks Award as the nation’s top defensive end.

2014 Season [Junior]:

Started all 15 games at defensive end.

Recorded 81 tackles (13 for a loss), four sacks, four pass deflections, and one forced fumble.

Second Team All-Pac-12.

Joe Schaffeld Trophy winner as Oregon’s top defensive lineman.

2013 Stats [Sophomore]:

Started the last eight of 13 games (appeared in all 13).

Recorded 39 tackles (3.5 for a loss), 2.5 sacks, one pass deflection, one forced fumble, and one fumble recovery.

2012 Stats [Freshman]:

Started two of 13 games (appeared in all 13).

Recorded 29 tackles (2.5 for a loss), and one sack.

Casanova Award winner as the team’s top first-year player.

2016 NFL Combine Results:

40 YD : 5.05 SEC

: 5.05 SEC Bench (225) : DNP

: DNP Vertical Jump : 32.0 INCH

: 32.0 INCH Broad Jump : 116.0 INCH

: 116.0 INCH Shuttle : 4.47 SEC

: 4.47 SEC 3-Cone Drill : 7.51 SEC

Alternate Defensive Linemen Prospects:

Jarran Reed [DT] Alabama (#13 Overall)*

Shaq Lawson [DE] Clemson (#24 Overall)*

A’Shawn Robinson [DT] Alabama (#17 Overall)*

Laquon Treadwell (WR) | 6-2 / 215 LBS. | Age: 20 | Ole Miss

The 2014 and 2015 NFL Drafts were loaded with talent at the wide receiver position and have already produced Pro Bowl stars like Odell Beckham Jr., Allen Robinson, Amari Cooper, and Tyler Lockett. The 2016 class may not be as highly rated as the past two years were, but Mr. Treadwell would say otherwise if asked. Treadwell established himself as one of the premiere playmakers in the nation at Ole Miss during his sophomore campaign prior to suffering a gruesome leg injury while attempting to score against Auburn. He is a big-bodied receiver with excellent hands and is also known for his above average blocking ability.

Anquan Boldin is currently a free agent and although he has stated that he prefers to finish his career in San Francisco there are no guarantees he will be provided such opportunity. The 49ers aren’t necessarily in the market for a wide receiver with young talent on the roster, but Treadwell may be too intriguing to pass on especially as a top receiving threat lined up opposite of Torrey Smith in 2016. The fact that this year’s wide receiver draft class is weaker than usual has dropped Treadwell’s overall ranking, but rankings get thrown out the window when a team is enthralled with a talented prospect as the 49ers could be with Treadwell.

NFL.com Draft Ranking:

#18 Overall

2015 Season [Junior]:

Started all 13 games at wide receiver.

Recorded 82 receptions for 1,153 yards and 11 touchdowns (88.7 yards per game).

First Team All-SEC.

Third Team All-American (AP).

One of three finalists for Biletnikoff Award for nation’s most outstanding receiver.

Gained a strong reputation for his blocking abilities on the edge.

2014 Season [Sophomore]:

Started eight of 13 games at wide receiver (played in nine).

Suffered a broken fibula and dislocated ankle at the end of the Auburn game (Week 10).

Recorded 48 receptions for 632 yards and five touchdowns (70.2 yards per game).

Second Team All-SEC (Athlon).

2013 Stats [Freshman]:

Started 12 of 13 games at slot receiver (played in all 13).

Recorded 72 receptions for 608 yards and eight touchdowns (46.8 yards per game).

SEC Freshman of the Year.

First Team Freshman All-American (Athlon).

SEC All-Freshman (league coaches).

2016 NFL Combine Results:

40 YD : DNP

: DNP Bench (225) : 12 REPS

: 12 REPS Vertical Jump : 33.0 INCH

: 33.0 INCH Broad Jump : 117.0 INCH

: 117.0 INCH Shuttle : DNP

: DNP 3-Cone Drill : DNP

Alternate Wide Receiver Prospects:

Corey Coleman [WR] Baylor (#16 Overall)*

*NFL.com Draft Rankings (Daniel Jeremiah – NFL Media Analyst)