Predicting Roles For Each 49ers’ Draft Pick
By David Ochoa
Last weekend, the San Francisco 49ers picked 10 players in the 2015 draft. A few of the picks had fans scratching their heads, but the 49ers obviously have plans for every player they picked.
With Justin Smith still on the fence about retiring and Ray McDonald no longer on the team, the 49ers felt they needed to replenish their big bodies on the line. Tank Carradine was drafted in 2013 to take over for Smith and McDonald, but besides a few garbage time sacks, he hasn’t shown much.
This is where first round draft pick Arik Armstead comes in.
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Armstead is a big body at 6’7 and 292 lbs. His will have the same job that Smith and McDonald had for so many years: take up blockers and let the linebackers go to work. Fans will probably point to his sack numbers to criticize his play, but that will not be Armstead’s main job. His job will be to take up double teams and open lanes for the LBs to make plays. Any added pass rush will be a plus.
Second round pick Jaquiski Tartt was a big surprise to many fans. With Antoine Bethea and Eric Reid in front of him, it’s hard to imagine he’ll see much playing time at safety. However, at 6’1 and 221 lbs, he’s a thumper who could find himself some playing time as the nickel safety. He could also be the 49ers’ answer to Seattle’s new acquisition, Jimmy Graham.
The 49ers have a lot of talent at OLB, but also a lot of expensive, dwindling talent. The 49ers probably don’t have Ahmad Brooks in their long term plans, and Corey Lemonier struggled in his sophomore season. The 49ers felt they needed insurance for Aldon Smith and Aaron Lynch, so they went out and drafted Eli Harold. Harold will most likely come in on obvious passing situations to spell Smith and Lynch and get some fresh bodies on the line.
Blake Bell, also known as the “Belldozer,” is huge 6’6 tight end that will most likely brought in as a red zone target. He is also a former QB that has only recently converted to TE, so there might be some trickery in the works.
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With Frank Gore departing to Indy this off season, the 49ers needed some insurance at RB. They drafted Mike Davis for this reason. Carlos Hyde seemed to be able to take on the majority of the carries, but after him there are question marks. Kendall Hunter is coming off his second major injury in three years, Reggie Bush is 30 years old, and Jerrod Hayne is a complete unknown. Davis almost has the exact build as Gore at 5’9 217, and he will probably come in for short yardage situations and when the 49ers need fresh legs to power through the defense.
Many thought that WR was a pressing need for the 49ers, but the team felt differently, as they didn’t draft a WR until the fourth round. DeAndre Smelter is a big target at 6’2 and 226 lbs, and has monstrous sized hands. Smelter is an absolute beast at run blocking, so expect a lot of outside runs to his side. Unfortunately, Smelter is still rehabbing a torn ACL, so don’t be surprised if he doesn’t get on the field this year.
The 49ers shocked everyone by picking a punter in the fifth round, especially with all pro Andy Lee still on the team. Bradley Pinion will push Lee for his spot, and Lee will have to prove his punting is worth millions more than Pinion’s punting.
Ian Silberman (sixth round) and Trenton Brown (seventh round) are both guards that were taken after each other. They will no doubt compete to take one of the few back up spots on the line. With Mike Iupati heading to Arizona, at least one OL spot on the roster has opened up, and these guys will be competing to take it.
The 49ers final pick was used Rory ‘Busta’ Anderson. Another big TE that will come in and compete for the final tight end spot with Garrett Celek and Bell. Anderson is a great athlete that is a big target for QBs over the middle.