Breaking Down 49ers' Best Options in Round 1 of 2015 NFL Draft

Unlike previous seasons, the San Francisco 49ers have a multitude of pressing needs as the franchise heads toward the 2015 NFL draft.

General manager Trent Baalke will have nine picks with which to work. Two of these are compensatory and cannot be traded. The remaining seven will be used to either bolster the existing roster or will be used as ammunition to move up or down at various points within the draft.

San Francisco's first pick is at No. 15 overall—the highest the team has held since the 2011 season.

This gives Baalke a chance to land a high-profile prospect early. And there are many from which to choose.

But who will be the 49ers' primary targets? Which prospects best fit the needs of San Francisco entering 2015?

The 49ers enter the draft with a number of question marks that require answers. An impact wide receiver was long speculated to be a top target. Free-agent acquisitions—wideouts Torrey Smith and Jerome Simpson—might have alleviated this need to an extent.

And what about the defense? San Francisco lost two of its impact cornerbacks this offseason to free agency—Chris Culliver and Perrish Cox. Will Baalke look for another defensive back as he has done in each of the previous two drafts?

Or will it be the front seven that receive some immediate reinforcement? The possible retirement of veteran defensive end Justin Smith prompts this need. The retirements of linebackers Patrick Willis and Chris Borland also create a weakness in the middle of this unit.

Whatever the case may be, Baalke and the 49ers need to make an impact with their first pick. 

Who emerges as the target remains up for debate.

DE Arik Armstead, Oregon

Arik Armstead, DE

School: Oregon

Height/Weight: 6'7"/292 pounds

Collegiate Stats

The loss of defensive end Ray McDonald for off-the-field incidents and the possible retirement of fellow DE Justin Smith has pushed San Francisco's need for an impact D-lineman to the forefront of its draft plans.

For years, the D-line has been the magic behind a 49ers defense that ranked No. 5 in total yards against last season (5,143). A four-man rush allowed the remaining cast to drop back into coverage and avoided the need to have high-profile cornerbacks on San Francisco's roster.

With McDonald gone and Smith possibly following, the 49ers will need to figure out a way to maintain such a prowess. Third-year pro end Tank Carradine should receive a vast increase in his playing time, and the free-agent acquisition of veteran defensive tackle Darnell Dockett also helps.

But what about the long-term solution?

Oregon defensive end Arik Armstead is a beast of a man. At 6'7" and 292 pounds, Armstead's sheer size is enough to entice anyone needing D-line help to take a flier on him in Round 1.

But where?

CBS Sports' Rob Rang has him going to the Philadelphia Eagles at No. 20 overall. Yet fellow CBS draft analyst Dane Brugler mocks him at No. 13 to the New Orleans Saints.

It is feasible that Armstead could be on the board when San Francisco drafts at No. 15. If the standout D-lineman remains close to his projected draft position, it wouldn't be that difficult for general manager Trent Baalke to execute some sort of trade-up if necessary.

According to Walter Football's draft value chart, moving up two slots (No. 15 to No. 13) would cost a fourth- and a fifth-round pick. San Francisco owns the Denver Broncos' own pick in Round 4.

There could be some questions surrounding Armstead's pass-rushing abilities. Armstead posted only four sacks in three seasons with the Ducks.

But Armstead wouldn't necessarily have to be inserted right away. He could take a year to develop should the 49ers coaching staff feel he needs more development.

"

Pick 1.15 the SF #49ers select: Arik Armstead, DL #Oregon #NFL #NFLDraft He's big & a perfect 5-tech DL for them; replacing Justin Smith

— NFL Draft Lab (@nfldraftlab) March 18, 2015"

At best, Armstead makes an immediate impact, which gives San Francisco the prowess it will need when Smith decides to retire.

WR Jaelen Strong, Arizona State

Jaelen Strong, WR

School: Arizona State

Height/Weight: 6'2"/217 pounds

Collegiate Stats

The free-agent acquisitions of wideouts Torrey Smith and Jerome Simpson have alleviated the 49ers' need to draft a wide receiver in Round 1, right?

Perhaps it has. But it doesn't mean general manager Trent Baalke will completely avoid the thought either. 

For starters, incumbent No. 1 receiver Anquan Boldin will turn 35 years old this season. He is also entering a contract year, and there are no guarantees that he'll return opposite Smith in 2016. Simpson also comes with plenty of off-the-field baggage, which raises questions regarding how long he'll be on the roster.

Behind this trio, there isn't exactly a lot of awe-inspiring depth unless one is pinning significant hopes for wideouts Quinton Patton and Bruce Ellington.

Top-tier receiving prospects like Alabama's Amari Cooper and West Virginia's Kevin White will certainly be long gone by the time San Francisco picks at No. 15. A trade-up here could happen, but the cost would assuredly be too high.

But mid-level wideouts such as Strong and DeVante Parker could easily be on the board around where San Francisco will draft.

Parker is ranked by CBS Sports as the 13th-best prospect in the draft, which would suggest a 49ers trade-up. But Strong is at No. 20.

CBS Sports' Dane Brugler and Pat Kirwan have mocked Strong going to the Kansas City Chiefs at No. 18. Fellow CBS draft analyst Rob Rang has him mocked at No. 26.

If this is the case, Baalke could feasibly trade down from the current spot—perhaps to No. 17. According to Walter Football, this transaction could net San Francisco a fourth-round pick.

And who knows what Baalke could do with that pick in other trade scenarios.

Additionally, Strong has been working out this offseason with quarterback Colin Kaepernick per Matt Maiocco of CSN Bay Area.

"

#NFLDraft Profile: #ArizonaState WR Jaelen Strong http://t.co/Ds8wc39hYD #49ers #Raiders #49ersTalk #RaidersTalk pic.twitter.com/IY9khKkPVm

— Comcast SportsNet (@CSNAuthentic) March 22, 2015"

Even if drafting Strong neglects the defense to a point, the move would at least help alleviate some of the long-term questions that San Francisco has at this critical position.

CB Marcus Peters, Washington

Marcus Peters, CB

School: Washington

Height/Weight: 6'0"/197 pounds

Collegiate Stats

According to 49ers CEO Jed York, "winning with class" is a preeminent theory that embodies what his team is trying to do.

Signings like that of free-agent wideout Jerome Simpson call that into question. And the possible drafting of Washington cornerback Marcus Peters would be another example of this notion falling short—an aspect that can be understood in the above video.

Peters has a number of red flags. There isn't an easy way to get around those. But one should recall that the 49ers took a similar chance, albeit in a much later round, with linebacker Aaron Lynch a year ago. That move worked out nicely.

Would drafting Peters provide similar results?

Peters is slated by CBS Sports as the No. 29 overall prospect and a late first- or early second-round pick. But many, including Bleacher Report's Matt Miller, view Peters as having the potential to be a top-five NFL cornerback.

"

He can be a Top 5 NFL cornerback RT @T_Khan24: How good can Marcus Peters be?

— Matt Miller (@nfldraftscout) March 25, 2015"

So where on the draft board will Peters land?

It should be noted that CBS Sports draft analyst Rob Rang had mocked Peters to San Francisco at No. 15. Other analysts suspect he could go even later, which opens up another trade-down possibility should the 49ers feel Peters is their guy.

Peters totaled 11 interceptions and 27 passes defended in three seasons at Washington. His addition would help alleviate the free-agent losses of cornerbacks Chris Culliver and Perrish Cox if Peters can maintain a solid character.

WR Dorial Green-Beckham, Oklahoma

Dorial Green-Beckham, WR

School: Oklahoma

Height/Weight: 6'5"/237 pounds

Collegiate Stats

Another player with plenty of red flags is Oklahoma wide receiver Dorial Green-Beckham.

There is little doubt that, physically, Green-Beckham is the most enticing prospect at his position in this year's draft. The 6'5", 237-pound frame is combined with speed, strength and strong hands, which is exactly what the 49ers need on offense.

Green-Beckham could also emerge as a bona fide red-zone target as illustrated by Bleacher Report's Phil G.:

"

Physical measurements aren't always a good indicator of future success. However, Green-Beckham also has good tape on his side. When looking back at the tape, Green-Beckham obviously uses his physical traits to bully corners in the red zone.

The 49ers delivered Kaepernick a vertical threat in Smith, but they still have a need for a red-zone threat. Remember, even with Jim Harbaugh at the helm, the 49ers struggled to score in the red zone.

"

His potential may be enough to convince the 49ers that they can worry about their defense later. Green-Beckham would simply be too good to pass up in Round 1.

"

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

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

But would the 49ers be overspending with their current pick?

CBS Sports lists Green-Beckham as the fifth-best wideout and the No. 23 prospect overall. While selecting him at 15 isn't out of the question, could general manager Trent Baalke add another pick while still netting this talented, yet troubled prospect?

Should Green-Beckham go around the 23rd spot as suggested, a trade down to No. 22 could net San Francisco an additional third-round pick per Walter Football.

It might be a risk, but one that would be worth taking if other teams aren't sold on Green-Beckham.

CB Trae Waynes, Michigan State

Trae Waynes, CB

School: Michigan State

Height/Weight: 6'0"/186 pounds

Collegiate Stats

San Francisco's passing defense ranked No. 1 in the NFL last season with 23 interceptions. Cornerbacks Perrish Cox and Chris Culliver ranked Nos. 1 and 2 on the team in that category with five and four picks, respectively.

Both are gone now via free agency, and the 49ers don't exactly have a lot of guaranteed depth to fill the void.

True, veteran corner Tramaine Brock should return healthy. He will be assisted by second-year pros Jimmie Ward and Dontae Johnson. Developmental corners Kenneth Acker and Keith Reaser will be a part of the equation along with free-agent acquisitions Chris Cook and Shareece Wright. 

But the 49ers could easily go defense first in Round 1. While the linebacker position needs some help, there isn't exactly a lot of first-round talent at the inside position.

Instead, general manager could once again go with a defensive back like he has in the previous two years: safety Eric Reid and Ward in 2013 and 2014, respectively.

Michigan State's Trae Waynes is regarded by CBS Sports as the top cornerback available in the draft and the 12th overall prospect.

Waynes has been linked to the 49ers in multiple mock drafts per Tyler Emerick of 49ers.com.

"

He's been linked to #49ers in many mock drafts. Get to know Michigan State CB Trae Waynes. http://t.co/e6jlNDvjJs pic.twitter.com/vamhxcplZD

— San Francisco 49ers (@49ers) March 23, 2015"

The 6'0", 186-pound prospect might need to add a little bulk to his frame at the NFL level, but there is little doubting his potential at the pro level.

NFL analyst Bucky Brooks (h/t Emerick) describes how his talents could translate over to the NFL:

"

Waynes exhibits outstanding qualities as a bump-and-run corner. He is aggressive and tenacious at the line of scrimmage, yet he also plays with discipline and patience throughout the route. Waynes consistently maintains ideal leverage on receivers up the field, and he uses his superb body positioning to force quarterbacks to fit the ball into tight windows.

"

Despite some of these mocks, will Waynes be around for the 49ers at No. 15?

It should be noted that CBS draft analysts Rob Rang, Dane Brugler and Pat Kirwan all have Waynes drafted higher than this slot.

If so, general manager Trent Baalke might have to execute another trade-up. To move up from No. 15 to, let's say, No. 11 would take something in the neighborhood of a third-round pick according to Walter Football.

Round 3 picks are still valuable, so this might not be a move Baalke will entertain unless he is certain that Waynes will be the impact player that is needed.

But if this move is made or if Waynes falls to No. 15, the 49ers would benefit from adding this playmaker to their secondary.

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.