How the San Francisco 49ers Can Make the Most of Each 2015 Draft Pick

For the San Francisco 49ers, the 2015 draft will be especially pivotal in determining how this franchise moves forward following the change in head coach.

Jim Tomsula has inherited a roster loaded with talent in certain positions, but general manager Trent Baalke needs to address gaping holes in others.

Indeed, while the Niners are well-stocked at linebacker and running back, they are in need of extra resources at the wide receiver position as well on the defensive line and in the secondary.

Baalke has received praise for his ability to identify talented prospects who fit the 49ers philosophy and manipulate the draft board in order to acquire them. And the pressure will be on him to do the same and support Tomsula as the Niners seek to return to the playoffs following a disappointing 8-8 season.

Not every pick of the draft is going to be a hit, but this year Baalke cannot afford too many misses. Here I determine the best options for the 49ers with each of the nine picks they are expected to have in 2015, according to CSN Bay Area's Matt Maiocco.

Round 1, Pick 15: Take a Wide Receiver

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The 49ers have issues on the defensive front and in the secondary, but their biggest need is at the wide receiver position.

San Francisco's group of wideouts, save for Anquan Boldin—who recorded a second straight 1,000-yard season—struggled to make an impact in a hugely disappointing passing offense that suffered from the lack of a consistent deep threat.

The addition of Brandon Lloyd did not help the 49ers, as he had just five passing plays of 40 yards or more in 2014. Both he and former first-round pick Michael Crabtree are scheduled to become free agents in the offseason.

Nobody was scared of the 49ers passing attack in 2014, and with Crabtree and Lloyd considered unlikely to return in 2015, the Niners are in need of a quality wideout who can make big plays down the field.

And they are in an ideal position to fill that requirement with the No. 15 pick.

The 2015 crop is not as deep in terms of pass-catchers as the 2014 class was, but a number of exciting options should be available when the 49ers make their selection. Amari Cooper of Alabama and DeVante Parker of Louisville figure to be out of reach for the Niners' however, the team could still make something of a splash with its first pick. 

West Virginia's Kevin White has the size (6'3", 210 lbs) to highpoint the football and the speed to burst off the line and create separation from defenders. That combination saw him catch 109 balls for 1,447 yards and 10 touchdowns in his final season with the Mountaineers.

SB Nation's Dan Kadar has White falling to the Niners in his latest mock draft; however, his stock appears to be on the rise, with NFL Network's Daniel Jeremiah describing him as the top receiver in the draft.

Should White go before the Niners pick, then San Francisco may have a dilemma as to whether to take a chance on Dorial Green-Beckham, who heads into the draft with significant character concerns after being dismissed from Missouri for various off-the-field indiscretions.

Green-Beckham's freakish 6'5" and 225-pound frame and extraordinary athleticism make him a high-risk, high-reward prospect for any franchise that is willing to give him a shot. The 49ers have already had difficulties with the behavior of Aldon Smith and Chris Culliver, to name but a few, and may not be keen to do so. Still, they are well-positioned to grab one of the top four wideouts in the draft and give Colin Kaepernick some serious ammunition.

After last year's difficulties, they cannot afford to miss the opportunity to draft a game-changing wide receiver.

Round 2, Pick 14: Add to Cornerback Depth

San Francisco is in a similar situation at cornerback as it is at receiver, with two potential free-agent losses set to dictate whether the team adds to the position in the draft.

Chris Culliver and Perrish Cox are both set to enter free agency after strong seasons, with the latter recording five interceptions, which tied for a league high. It remains to be seen if that duo will be back in 2015 but even if they are, the Niners have some questions to answer at the cornerback position.

Only Culliver can claim to have performed to a high level for more than one season, having done so in 2014 and on the 49ers' run to the Super Bowl two seasons ago. Tramaine Brock was hampered by injuries this campaign after a breakout year in 2013, while Jimmie Ward and Dontae Johnson—despite the latter performing well as a rookie—remain unproven.

The 49ers also have 2014 late-round picks Keith Reaser and Kenneth Acker to examine after they redshirted their respective rookie years, but the fact is—even for a defense ranked No. 5 against the pass—San Francisco could use another option at the corner.

It is not a deep draft at the position, yet there is value outside of the first round, when the top trio of Trae Waynes, Marcus Peters and Ifo-Ekpre Olomu are all expected to be off the board.

Perhaps the best player who could be available in the second round is Quinten Rollins out of Miami (Ohio). His stock has been on the rise, so much so that CBSSports' Dane Brugler is now viewing the former basketball point guard as a potential first-round pick.

Much could hinge on Rollins' performance at the Senior Bowl, but despite only playing one year of college football, he is a corner with the tools to make it at the next level. Quick-hipped, athletic and with a nose for the football, he recorded seven interceptions in 2014, displaying playmaking ability that is worth the gamble for an NFL team.

Florida State's P.J. Williams possesses an impressive blend of size (6'0", 196 lbs), fluidity and physicality to project as an outside corner in the pros, although an injury in his junior year may hurt his stock. Jalen Collins of LSU, at 6'2" and 198 pounds, would give San Francisco two physically imposing corners to develop following the acquisition of Johnson, while Ole Miss' Senquez Golson is likely to gain plenty of attention despite his small 5'9" and 193-pound build after racking up 10 interceptions in 2014.

Regardless of the secondary's largely impressive play this past season, the 49ers are in need of added quality at corner. Finding a big-play receiver is a bigger priority, but in the second round it would be a smart decision to acquire one of the better corners while they remain on the board.

Round 3, Pick 15: Bolster the Defensive Line

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So after addressing two of its biggest needs, how does San Francisco make best use of its pick in Round 3? By bolstering an area that has rarely been viewed as a weakness.

The defensive line has been one of the Niners' primary strengths for many years. However, following Ray McDonald's ignominious departure and with Justin Smith pondering retirement, according to NFL Media's Alex Flanagan, San Francisco is looking a little light in the trenches.

Second-year players Quinton Dial and Tank Carradine showed signs of development toward the back end of the season and will be in line to receive the bulk of the playing time up front, should Smith decide to call it a day.

Tony Jerod-Eddie is also proving to be a valuable rotational player, yet this is a D-line seemingly in need of an infusion of depth. For a team whose success has been built around winning up front, waiting until the third round to deal with this issue may look misguided.

However, there should still be plenty of talent available at the position by the time the Niners choose with pick No. 79. It is unclear whether the Niners will run a 3-4 or a 4-3 defense under Eric Mangini, who—per ESPN's Adam Schefter—is expected to be their new defensive coordinator. But San Francisco is in a good spot to bring in the ideal replacement for Smith, should it stick with the three-man front.

Viewed as a third- or fourth-round pick by CBSSports, Stanford's Henry Anderson has potential to be a mid-round steal. A player who has operated as a defensive end and a nose guard, Anderson has few weaknesses. He possesses superb power and quickness, has a relentless motor and can beat defenders with his long arms and pass-rush moves. Furthermore, he is adept at getting off blocks and making plays in the run game.

Anderson's stock could rise if he performs well at the Senior Bowl. Yet there are other third-round prospects well worthy of consideration by the Niners, including Mario Williams of Florida State, who is a disruptive force in the backfield and can play as a 3-4 end or 4-3 tackle.

Za'Darius Smith has the tools to contribute immediately as a 4-3 edge-rusher if San Francisco changes its system. The Kentucky senior had 11 sacks in his collegiate career and caught the eye of CBSSports' Rob Rang at the East-West Shrine Game.

San Francisco is in danger of looking thin on the D-line. Adding another piece to compete with two developing talents in Carradine and Dial would give the team plenty of hope for the future up front.

Round 4, Pick 27: Help the O-Line

The Niners know the value of winning in the trenches on both sides of the ball. And just like on the D-line, San Francisco would be smart to recruit some help for the offensive line in the middle rounds.

For a group that had been so widely praised in previous years, the 49ers O-line did not play well in 2014, ranking No. 30 in the league in pass-blocking efficiency and No. 10 in run blocking, according to Football Outsiders.

Now, San Francisco stands to lose a significant piece on the O-line, with Mike Iupati—rated as the No. 2 run-blocking guard in the NFL by Pro Football Focus—set to become a free agent when the offseason officially starts. Iupati is likely to be too expensive for a franchise that is aiming to make cap savings, which leaves an empty spot at the left guard slot.

That role could be taken up by Marcus Martin, who did not impress at center after coming in for the injured Daniel Kilgore, or Brandon Thomas, the former Clemson guard who effectively redshirted his rookie year due to a torn ACL. Joe Looney would also be in contention to win that job; however, after Jonathan Martin struggled in reserve of Anthony Davis at right tackle, there is justification for adding a rookie who can play outside and on the interior.

Perhaps the best option for the Niners, who pick with the Denver Broncos' late fourth-rounder following a series of trades in 2014, is Arizona State's Jamil Douglas.

An excellent pass protector, Douglas projects as a left tackle going forward but has considerable experience at guard for the Sun Devils; however, his inconsistencies in run blocking may be a concern for a team that will focus on the ground game in 2015.

Robert Myers of Tennessee State heads into the draft having played on both ends of the line and at right guard in his collegiate career; however, Rang describes him as a significant project due to issues with his technique and power.

Texas A&M tackle Cedric Ogbuehi is arguably the most intriguing option in terms of O-line prospects for a franchise that loves to pick up injured redshirt prospects.

He operated at right guard alongside tackle Jake Matthews in a superb partnership before moving outside in 2013. He could have been a first-round pick if not for a torn ACL suffered in the Liberty Bowl. Depending on how far he falls, Ogbuehi is another outstanding talent who could land with the Niners as a result of his misfortune.

There is no outright need for the 49ers to bring in O-line reinforcements, but it is fair to assume they will do so at some point in order to bolster the physicality and dominance of the ground game.

Round 5, Pick 15: Shore Up the Backfield

By this point, the 49ers have addressed their two biggest needs and added extra depth up front, and it therefore makes sense for San Francisco to take advantage of a deep running back class with the No. 14 pick in the fifth round.

What the Niners do at tailback will largely depend on the future of all-time leading rusher Frank Gore, who is poised to enter free agency for the first time in his career. The 49ers will look strong at the position if Gore decides to return, with backup Carlos Hyde coming off a good rookie year and Kendall Hunter back from a torn ACL.

But it's unknown how long Gore will stick around, and it would be an astute move to add an insurance policy from a highly talented crop of backs, some of which should still be available by the time the 49ers make their fifth selection.

San Francisco has already found Gore's heir apparent in Hyde; however, the opportunity may be there to bring in another runner whose style echoes that of the 49ers' No. 21 in the form of Mississippi State's Josh Robinson.

He earned the nickname "Bowling Ball" from his college teammates, and it is a moniker that fits him perfectly. At 5'9" and 215 pounds, Robinson can squeak through small holes and has demonstrated the power and determination to break tackles on a consistent basis.

An intelligent runner who has displayed a proficiency for making smart cuts, Robinson has overcome his lack of home run acceleration to regularly produce big runs into opposing territory. He ended his final season with the Bulldogs with 1,573 yards from scrimmage and 12 touchdowns. CBS Sports views him as a fifth- or sixth-round pick, and he would represent excellent value.

Florida State's Karlos Williams is another downhill runner the Niners could pursue. The former Seminole is more patient than Robinson, and at 6'2" and 225 pounds, he is a considerably larger athlete for defenders to attempt to bring down.

The Niners could also look at small-school prospect David Johnson from Northern Iowa, but he projects more as an H-back in the pros given his huge frame (6'2", 229 lbs) and skills as a pass-catcher out of the backfield. Gore's future figures to be the leading storyline of the offseason, yet regardless of his decision, San Francisco could do worse than to shore up the backfield with another young rusher in Round 5.

Round 6, Pick 15: Find a Quarterback Project

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Colin Kaepernick will all but certainly still be the starting quarterback in 2015 despite San Francisco's struggles in the passing game this past season.

But there can be no doubt that the Niners could use a project to develop behind Kaepernick to give them a better option should their dual-threat signal caller suffer an injury. It seems likely that San Francisco will look to free agency to replace Blaine Gabbert as Kaepernick's immediate backup; however, there are prospective rookies in a disappointing quarterback class who could turn into potential starters in the future.

The 49ers, per Charlie Campbell of Walter Football, have held a hotel meeting with Colorado State's Garrett Grayson at the Senior Bowl. CBS Sports, however, lists Grayson as a third- or fourth-round prospect, and San Francisco can probably pick up a better fit in the sixth round in Alabama's Blake Sims.

Sims is of a similar mold to Kaepernick in that he has the athleticism to make plays with his legs and an impressively strong arm. A passer skilled at moving the pocket, Sims can also make touch throws; his lack of height (5'11") is the main sticking point counting against him as he makes the jump to the pros.

With the Niners seemingly set to use a run-first offense in 2015, Sims' presence as a reserve could be beneficial if Kaepernick were to go down, given Sims' success in a system that focused on the ground game in Tuscaloosa.

San Francisco's backups have been below par for too long now, and at this late stage in the draft, the opportunity to grab a player with a ceiling as high as Sims' should be too good to pass up.

Round 6, Compensatory Pick: Bring in Safety Help

The 49ers, per Maiocco are slated to have a compensatory pick in the sixth round, a selection that could be best used by adding help at the safety position.

Antoine Bethea and Eric Reid performed well as a tandem in 2014, but there has to be some concern in the organization about the latter's recent history of concussions. The one he suffered in Week 16 marked the former LSU Tiger's third in two years as a pro.

San Francisco has little in the way of depth at the position, although Jimmie Ward and Dontae Johnson do have experience at safety. An investment in a backup for Reid at the free safety spot makes sense, so long as the Niners do not bring back prospective free agent Craig Dahl.

Penn State's Adrian Amos is worth examining in Round 6 following a productive career with the Nittany Lions. He snagged three interceptions in his final season, and his versatility to operate at cornerback as well as safety could aid his transition to the pros and make him a valuable asset to a secondary that was decimated by injuries this past year.

Virginia Tech's Detrick Bonner is also deserving of some consideration after recording five interceptions and 20-plus pass breakups in his college career. Like Amos, Bonner has experience at corner and has seen reputation improve in recent weeks, catching the eye of NFL Media draft analyst Mike Mayock with his performances at the East-West Shrine Game practices.

What became clear in 2014 was that the Niners need as much secondary depth as they can get. Amos and Bonner are decent late-round options to improve the situation at safety.

Round 7: Find Value in Two Late Fliers

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According to Maiocco, the 49ers are poised to receive another compensatory pick in the seventh round of the draft, giving them the chance to acquire a couple of more recruits with late fliers.

It is tough to find players who can contribute in the final round, although Kaleb Ramsey and Trey Millard—the Niners' two seventh-rounders from 2014—are still on the roster after redshirting their opening years.

Still, the Niners could at least add some valuable competition to the roster going into the preseason by acquiring the following pair of players with their final two picks.

Sam Ficken, Kicker, Penn State: Ficken missed just five field goals in his final season with the Nittany Lions and could challenge Phil Dawson, who recently turned 40, in the preseason.

Chris Harper, Wide Receiver, California: For a 49ers offense lacking weapons, the undersized Harper has the explosion and versatility to potentially make an impact in the pros.

All statistics courtesy of NFL.com unless otherwise stated. College stats courtesy of Sports Reference.

Nicholas McGee is a San Francisco 49ers Featured Columnist based in Leeds, England. Follow him on Twitter @nicholasmcgee24.