Best Possible Outcomes for 49ers' Top 3 Draft Picks

The 2015 offseason has not exactly been kind to the San Francisco 49ers. 

San Francisco and its fanbase have endured the free-agent departures of some noteworthy players like running back Frank Gore and left guard Mike Iupati. Standout linebackers Patrick Willis and Chris Borland have called an end to their respective NFL careers.

All of this amounts to a rough offseason on its own. Thankfully, the 49ers were able to take a bit of a proactive approach in free agency, which helped alleviate some of the pressing needs San Francisco has as the 2015 NFL draft approaches.

Free agents like defensive tackle Darnell Dockett, running back Reggie Bush, offensive guard Erik Pears and wide receivers Torrey Smith and Jerome Simpson have all joined general manager Trent Baalke's team.

So how will this affect Baalke's plans in the upcoming draft?

The 49ers hold the No. 15 overall pick. In spite of San Francisco's free-agent signings, the team still has some pressing needs that should be addressed.

A top-notch wide receiver prospect might have been the initial target in Round 1. While this could still be the case, some of the notable departures on defense might prompt Baalke to reinforce this side of the ball as his No. 1 priority.

San Francisco's needs cannot overlook a questionable depth a cornerback. The defensive line might also be a priority as well as the inside linebacker position.

But how will Baalke go about solving these needs? Most importantly, which targets should be on the 49ers' radar given their current situation?

Let's take a look at a scenario-by-scenario breakdown of what San Francisco might do as the 2015 draft approaches, with a best-case analysis based on need, fit and value over the first three rounds.

Wide Receiver in Round 1

Scenario: 49ers target a wide receiver in Round 1 despite defensive needs. San Francisco then tabs an inside linebacker in Round 2 while drafting a cornerback in Round 3.

While the defensive side of the ball could still be the top priority for the 49ers in the 2015 draft, it wouldn't be a complete shock to see general manager Trent Baalke go after one of the highly touted first-round wide receivers with the team's first pick.

One name that has been linked to the 49ers in Round 1 is Oklahoma/Missouri wideout Dorial Green-Beckham—a possibility illustrated in the above video.

"

Draft Buzz: 'Tough to Imagine' 49ers Passing on Dorial Green-Beckham at Pick 15 http://t.co/aaefsozUyN

— Matt Miller (@nfldraftscout) March 13, 2015"

Green-Beckham is one of the most physically gifted talents at this position in the draft. His combination of size, athleticism and speed make him an enticing prospect. But his off-the-field concerns are enough to push him down the draft charts.

Yet the 49ers might be willing to gamble on him given their long-term receiving needs. Despite the signings of wideouts like Torrey Smith and Jerome Simpson, San Francisco would love to have its hands on a talented target that could eventually replace aging veteran wide receiver Anquan Boldin when his contract expires after 2015.

Round 2 could be the moment when Baalke reinforces the losses at inside linebacker. Despite the pending return of linebacker NaVorro Bowman and the re-signing of linebacker Michael Wilhoite—who admirably filled in for Bowman in 2014—the 49ers should be attempting to fill this void.

Clemson inside linebacker Stephone Anthony is one name that has been linked to San Francisco, per Matt Barrows of the Sacramento Bee.

CBS Sports ranks the 6'3", 243-pound prospect as a second-round pick, and he could easily fall to the 49ers with their second pick of the draft.

In Round 3, San Francisco alleviates its need at cornerback by selecting USC prospect Josh Shaw. The 6'0", 201-pound defensive back has the right combination of size and speed and would fit into the 49ers' defensive plans, per Taylor Price of 49ers.com:

"

USC CB Josh Shaw: "If you want a long, fast, physical corner, draft Josh Shaw." #SeniorBowl #Swagger http://t.co/QO3M6FRXCf

— Taylor Price (@TaylorPrice) January 22, 2015"

In this scenario, the 49ers still grab an impact wideout first without avoiding pressing needs at linebacker and within the secondary.

49ers Grab a Wideout in Round 1 but Take a Cornerback in Round 2

Scenario: 49ers still target a wide receiver in Round 1. But general manager Trent Baalke fills the void in the second round by drafting Connecticut cornerback Byron Jones. San Francisco then selects Miami linebacker Denzel Perryman in Round 3.

Let's assume that San Francisco still goes after a wide receiver with its first pick of the draft.

But instead of shoring up the linebacker position next, general manager Trent Baalke addresses the secondary with Connecticut cornerback Byron Jones.

Jones would be a perfect fit for San Francisco's scheme. CBS Sports lists the 6'1", 199-pound corner as a Day 2 target, and he would add to the crop of defensive backs within the 49ers' questionable secondary.

The 49ers will enjoy the return of cornerback Tramaine Brock in 2015. Cornerback Chris Cook has also returned on a one-year deal and is joined by free-agent corner Shareece Wright. A number of other young players also fill out the bill, such as Dontae Johnson, Kenneth Acker and Keith Reaser.

But Jones would add bona fide talent and could wind up being a Week 1 starter if he proves himself in training camp and in the preseason.

From there, San Francisco addresses its inside linebacker needs by grabbing Miami's Denzel Perryman in Round 3.

Pro Bowl running back Clinton Portis weighed in on Perryman's abilities and how he could fill the void left by retired linebacker Patrick Willis, via Chase Goodbread of NFL.com.

"If you put him in the right scheme he will be excellent," Portis said. "I can see the 49ers taking a long look at him with Patrick Willis retiring. Picking up a linebacker who comes with his attitude would really help them."

"

Replacing @PatrickWillis52? The @49ers could find one in the #NFLDraft (via @NFL_CFB): http://t.co/MnGf7xrKuK pic.twitter.com/J1mUZMJRIm

— NFL (@nfl) March 16, 2015"

But the question of where Perryman gets drafted remains undecided. 

CBS Sports lists Perryman as a Round 3 pick. But Goodbread suggests he'll go much higher. Portis thinks Perryman will be a late first- or early second-round pick:

"I definitely think he will go at the end of the first or early in the second round. Watching the film of all of the players from Miami, the person who stood out the most was Denzel, because of how he attacked the ball. He sometimes even played off double teams—a linebacker should never face double teams."

If Perryman does fall to San Francisco in Round 3, it would be an absolute steal for the 49ers and would fit the bill for an excellent value pick.

Reinforcing the D-Line First

Scenario: 49ers address a long-term solution to replace defensive end Justin Smith by drafting Kentucky defensive end Alvin Dupree in Round 1. Trent Baalke selects a cornerback like Byron Jones in Round 2 and then a linebacker in Round 3 as previously suggested.

Like it or not, the 49ers will have to address their needs along the defensive line at some point in the near future.

Veteran defensive end Justin Smith has been hinting at retirement ever since the conclusion of the 2014 season. According to head coach Jim Tomsula (h/t Matt Maiocco of CSN Bay Area), the 35-year-old Smith has yet to make a decision.

But even if Smith returns, it doesn't mean San Francisco has a long-term plan at this position.

Former 49ers defensive end Ray McDonald is also gone. The signing of free-agent veteran D-lineman Darnell Dockett helps, but the two-year deal suggests that this is little more than a stop-gap option until a player like defensive end Tank Carradine comes of age.

"

Whether Justin Smith retires or not, the #49ers will expect a lot from Tank Carradine in 2015, considering what they invested in him.

— Christian Gin (@Christian_Gin) March 18, 2015"

Defensive end Alvin Dupree of Kentucky could help fill the void at this critical position. The 6'4", 269-pound pass-rusher amassed 23.5 sacks in four years at Kentucky and also totaled 36 tackles for a loss. 

CBS Sports ranks Dupree as the No. 15 overall prospect, and CBS Sports' Rob Rang states that he has a "blend of length and burst to enjoy a long, productive career as an NFL edge rusher."

A combination of Dupree and Carradine would have the potential to replace the production that the 49ers defense once enjoyed with McDonald and Smith on the ends.

In Rounds 2 and 3, San Francisco tabs cornerback Byron Jones, and, hopefully, inside linebacker Denzel Perryman, respectively.

Landing a Running Back in Round 3

Scenario: The 49ers address their defensive line in Round 1 and then take a cornerback in Round 2. In the third round, San Francisco adds a running back—either T.J. Yeldon or David Cobb.

Veteran running back Frank Gore's departure hurts the 49ers heading into 2015. But it was a departure that was destined to happen at some point for the 31-year-old veteran.

Gore's free-agent signing with the Indianapolis Colts opens up the door for No. 2 back Carlos Hyde to emerge as the featured back in San Francisco's offense. He'll be backed up by fellow running back Kendall Hunter, who returns from a season-long injury.

But there isn't exactly any depth behind this tandem, and San Francisco will need some additional insurance in case Hyde struggles or is injured in his second pro year.

Round 3 offers up some enticing options in a deep draft class at running back.

After bulking up the defensive line in Round 1 and adding to their secondary in Round 2, the 49ers stock up on their running game with their third overall pick.

Running backs like Alabama's T.J. Yeldon and Minnesota's David Cobb are enticing third-round prospects who could help fill the void left by Gore—the possibilities of which are addressed in the above video.

"

Sac Bee beat writer @mattbarrows joins @AdamLefkoe & B/R to discuss SF's options to replace Frank Gore in the draft: http://t.co/gbfnASfq9B

— Dylan MacNamara (@DylanMacNamara) February 20, 2015"

Yeldon is ranked one spot ahead of Cobb on CBS Sports' depth chart at this position. The 6'1", 226-pound back has admirable size and strength—aspects that helped him gain 3,322 yards on 576 carries for 37 touchdowns over three seasons with the Crimson Tide.

At 5'11", Cobb is slightly shorter, but he carries a similar weight at 229 pounds, which could make him even tougher to bring down. Cobb amassed 2,893 yards on 562 carries for 20 touchdowns in four seasons at Minnesota.

49ers Go with a Cornerback in Round 1

Scenario: 49ers take cornerback Trae Waynes in Round 1 with fellow cornerback Marcus Peters as the fallback option. San Francisco then grabs a D-lineman and a linebacker in Rounds 2 and 3, respectively.

Out of all the questionable positions San Francisco needs to address this offseason, few exceed the desire to land an impact cornerback in Round 1 of the 2015 NFL draft.

Thankfully, there is considerable depth at this position. This gives the 49ers some flexibility in approaching this need, and they feasibly could wait until later rounds to add some cornerback talent.

The following two names dominate potential targets when evaluating a first-round selection at cornerback by San Francisco: Michigan State's Trae Waynes and Washington's Marcus Peters.

Ideally, Waynes would be the better target. CBS Sports has him ranked as the top corner in the draft and the No. 13 overall prospect. Peters is ranked at No. 29 and one spot behind cornerback Kevin Johnson at the position.

However, in his most recent mock draft, CBS Sports' Pete Prisco has Peters going to the 49ers at No. 15, not Waynes.

Additionally, Turron Davenport of The Baltimore Times believes that Waynes won't fall to San Francisco at its current draft slot.

"

I've said that Trae Waynes could be in play for 49ers at 15, I don't believe so anymore. Could possibly slide Marcus Peters in there now.

— TURRON DAVENPORT (@TDavenport_NFL) February 24, 2015"

If Waynes slides, the 49ers would be in a perfect position to land the talented corner with an extreme value pick. General manager Trent Baalke could also entertain a trade to move up a few spots if he felt Waynes was the guy.

Peters isn't a bad option either. But character concerns have dropped his draft stock to No. 29 overall, according to CBS Sports. However, he does have some ball-hawk talents, which helped him pull in 11 interceptions in three seasons at Washington State.

The 49ers could use that talent to alleviate the free-agent departures of cornerbacks Chris Culliver and Perrish Cox.

In Round 2, San Francisco lands LSU defensive end Danielle Hunter. His 6'5", 252-pound frame helped him net 13 tackles for a loss for the Tigers last year.

After that, Baalke hopes that linebacker Denzel Perryman falls into the third round.

All statistics, records and accolades courtesy of Pro-Football-Reference.com and Sports-Reference.com unless otherwise indicated. Supplemental draft information courtesy of CBS Sports.

Peter Panacy is a featured columnist for Bleacher Report, covering the San Francisco 49ers. Be sure to check out his entire archive on 49ers news, insight and analysis.

Follow him @PeterPanacy on Twitter.