5 Creative Moves the San Francisco 49ers Can Pull on Draft Day
San Francisco 49ers general manager Trent Baalke is famous for pulling off creative moves in the draft.
Last year, he traded a fourth-round pick to the Buffalo Bills for wide receiver Stevie Johnson. Then on Day 2 of the draft, Baalke traded the Niners' second- and seventh-round picks to the Denver Broncos for their second- and fourth-round picks.
Baalke recouped a fourth-rounder and essentially gave up only a seventh-round pick for Johnson. Clever.
Here are five more creative moves Baalke should consider making in the upcoming draft. Maybe he can pull off one or two of these moves.
Draft RB Todd Gurley in Round 1
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Baalke seems to like drafting top prospects who are recovering from knee surgery.
Last year, he drafted former Clemson offensive tackle Brandon Thomas in Round 3 even though Thomas had torn his ACL. Teams probably would have drafted Thomas in Round 1 if not for the injury.
In 2013, Baalke drafted former South Carolina running back Marcus Lattimore in Round 4 even though Lattimore had torn his ACL, MCL, PCL and LCL. Lattimore might have been a first-round pick if he hadn’t gotten injured.
This year, former Georgia running back Todd Gurley is the top player in the draft who has a surgically repaired knee. Before tearing his ACL last season, he looked like the second coming of Minnesota Vikings running back Adrian Peterson.
The Niners don’t need to draft a running back in Round 1—they drafted running back Carlos Hyde in Round 2 last year, and Hyde has talent. But not as much as Gurley. If the Niners draft Gurley and he takes Hyde’s job, they can trade Hyde for more draft picks.
Draft OLB James Vaughters in Round 7 and Play Him at Fullback
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The 49ers need a fullback just in case Bruce Miller misses games next season.
Miller was arrested for alleged spousal battery on March 5. The Santa Clara County District Attorney’s Office is reviewing his case, and Miller will not attend the 49ers' offseason training program until the matter is resolved, according to Eric Branch of the San Francisco Chronicle.
The 49ers drafted fullback Trey Millard last year. He is complement for Miller, not a replacement. Millard is a good pass-catcher and a good running back, but he's not a strong blocker like Miller.
Miller is one of the strongest players on the 49ers. He steamrolls linebackers. He bench-pressed 225 pounds 35 times at the combine in 2011.
Former Stanford outside linebacker James Vaughters recently put up 35 reps on the bench at his pro day. He is just as strong as Miller.
Vaughters has zero experience at fullback. But neither did Miller before the Niners drafted him. Both Miller and Vaughters played outside linebacker in college.
Draft OT Andrus Peat in Round 1 and Play Him at Guard
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The Niners have a vacancy at left guard, but they have a problem at right tackle.
Former 49ers left guard Mike Iupati signed with the Arizona Cardinals this offseason. The Niners need to replace him.
They also need a quality backup and potential replacement for right tackle Anthony Davis. He missed nine games with various injuries last season. When he played, the Niners averaged 4.95 yards per carry on runs to the right. When he didn’t play, they averaged just 2.6 yards per carry to the right.
The 49ers' running game falls apart when Davis doesn’t play, meaning the entire offense falls apart without him—it’s a run-first offense. The run sets up the pass.
The Niners offense shouldn’t be so dependent on Davis’ health. It needs another talented tackle. Former Stanford Cardinal Andrus Peat is the most talented tackle in the draft. The Niners can take him in Round 1, play him at left guard and move him to right tackle if Davis gets hurt again.
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Draft OLB Alvin 'Bud' Dupree in Round 1 and Play Him at Inside Linebacker
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The 49ers must figure out a creative way to cover Seattle Seahawks tight end Jimmy Graham.
The Niners typically ask their left inside linebacker to cover the opposing team’s tight end. Michael Wilhoite is the Niners’ left inside linebacker, and he can cover some tight ends. But he is not big or fast enough to cover Graham. Graham is a freak.
Former Kentucky outside linebacker Alvin “Bud” Dupree is a freak too. He’s 6’4”, 269 pounds, and he runs a 4.56-second 40-yard dash. He matches up with Graham, who also runs a 4.56, and is 6’7” and 265 pounds. No player in the upcoming draft is better suited to cover Graham than Dupree.
Although Dupree doesn't have much experience playing inside linebacker, he can line up there in passing situations because he’s a natural in coverage.
Trade Out of Round 1 Entirely
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This might be the perfect year for Baalke to trade out of Round 1.
Baalke never has traded down in Round 1—he only has traded up. In 2010, he traded up for Anthony Davis, and in 2013 he traded up for free safety Eric Reid.
Baalke can’t afford to trade up this year—too many needs to fill. He has to draft a wide receiver and a cornerback early. He also has to draft at least one linebacker to replace Patrick Willis and Chris Borland, both of whom retired.
Justin Smith might retire too, and the Niners released defensive tackle Ray McDonald last December. So Baalke has to draft at least one defensive tackle.
If Baalke trades out of the first round, he might be able to get enough draft picks to fill all of the Niners' needs. And if Gurley is available when the Niners are on the clock for pick No. 15, they might find more than one team willing to make a trade.
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