San Francisco 49ers: Complete 2015 NFL Draft Wrap-Up and Analysis

The 2015 NFL draft is now complete, and the San Francisco 49ers were able to land 10 prospects in Rounds 1 through 7.

General manager Trent Baalke was able to reinforce a number of needs that the 49ers carried into the draft. But some of the moves left fans and pundits scratching their heads. 

And, true to Baalke's form, the 49ers executed a number of draft-day trades, which increased San Francisco's overall selections from nine initial picks to 10 overall. Additionally, Baalke's trades during the draft landed two picks in the 2016 draft.

San Francisco's first pick involved a trade. The 49ers sent their own first-round selection to the San Diego Chargers in exchange for the No. 17 pick overall, a fourth-round pick and another 2016 pick.

The 49ers then landed Oregon defensive end Arik Armstead in Round 1.

Armstead helps reinforce a defensive line that could be without the services of veteran DE Justin Smith this season. Smith is still pondering retirement, and the 49ers are clearly banking on Armstead's development to assist the 35-year-old's eventual departure whenever it comes.

Baalke's first three picks addressed defensive needs, and the 49ers general manager utilized later rounds to address depth questions at tight end, wide receiver and offensive line.

But Baalke also took an early flier on punter Bradley Pinion in Round 5—the first specialist taken in the draft per Christian Gin of Examiner.com. Pinion may have been a reach given other prospect values and pressing needs elsewhere.

This selection was one of a few interesting moves by Baalke in a draft that certainly had its share of question marks.

Still, the 49ers did stock up on talent. 

How does this talent stack up, and who are the most intriguing picks? 

The Selections

The 49ers started off with nine picks heading into the draft. 

Trent Baalke's draft-day moves ended up netting 10 total prospects over the course of seven rounds. The first three selections all focused on the defense with defensive end Arik Armstead, safety Jaquiski Tartt and defensive end Eli Harold going in the first three rounds.

Baalke then spent each subsequent pick—with the exception of a Round 5 pick on punter Bradley Pinion—on the offensive side of the ball.

Wide receiver DeAndre Smelter was Baalke's first injured pick of the draft—the first in a long line of players whom Baalke drafted despite health concerns. Last year, Baalke took fliers on offensive guard Brandon Thomas and cornerback Keith Reaser. Both were redshirted in their rookie seasons.

Smelter could wind up landing in the same crop. His ACL injury suffered last November could keep him out of training camp per Dane Brugler of CBS Sports. 

But Baalke feels as if Smelter could wind up competing for a spot as the 49ers head into the preseason per the team's website.

"

Baalke on WR DeAndre Smelter (ACL): "He may not be ready for training camp, but he could be ready after that.” #49ersDraft

— San Francisco 49ers (@49ers) May 2, 2015"

Smelter may not be pressed into service in 2015. The 49ers' crop of wideouts already includes Torrey Smith, Anquan Boldin, Jerome Simpson, Bruce Ellington and Quinton Patton. But Smelter's talents may be too much to ignore for long.

The 49ers also added depth at the tight end and offensive line positions. San Francisco drafted two prospects at each of these positions, and they were worth the expense.

Tight end Vernon Davis is coming off a lackluster season and enters a contract year in 2015. Backup Vance McDonald also hasn't emerged as a legitimate No. 2 target. 

San Francisco's O-line needed some reinforcement after losing linemen Mike Iupati and Jonathan Martin this offseason. While the 49ers still have some interior depth with guards Brandon Thomas, Erik Pears and Marcus Martin competing for Iupati's spot, depth behind tackles Joe Staley and Anthony Davis needed some assistance.

Best Pick: DE/OLB Eli Harold

Defensive End/Outside Linebacker Eli Harold

School: Virginia

Collegiate Statistics

While the 49ers could have looked at offense in Round 3, Trent Baalke instead sought pass-rushing reinforcement. This came one year removed from a 36-sack season, which ranked No. 21 in the NFL. The 49ers need pass-rushers. Harold provides that.

Harold amassed 17.5 sacks and 36.5 tackles for a loss over three seasons at Virginia. According to Pro Football Focus, Harold was the ninth-ranked pass-rusher out of all draft-eligible outside linebackers last season.

"

New 49ers OLB Eli Harold had the 9th highest pass rushing grade of all draft eligible 3-4 OLBs in 2014

— Pro Football Focus (@PFF) May 2, 2015"

The move gives San Francisco additional options for the outside of their 3-4 defense. Head coach Jim Tomsula may elect to move linebacker Ahmad Brooks to the inside—a possibility after the retirements of linebackers Patrick Willis and Chris Borland—or place Harold higher on the depth chart over 2013 draft disappointment Corey Lemonier.

Harold had enough positive attributes to warrant a late first- or early second-round pick per CBSSports.com. But he fell to San Francisco in Round 3, which gives this selection a tremendous amount of value.

"

Eli Harold’s closest ATHLETIC comp? Clay Matthews. (ht to @mockdraftable for the image) pic.twitter.com/e4bBhBaTFp

— Oscar (@BetterRivals) May 2, 2015"

For the long run, Harold could even give the 49ers enough flexibility to move on from pass-rushing linebacker Aldon Smith should Smith depart San Francisco after a 2015 contract year.

Worst Pick: P Bradley Pinion, Clemson

Punter Bradley Pinion

School: Clemson

Collegiate Statistics

With little argument, the most questionable selection by Trent Baalke in the 2014 draft was the fifth-round selection of Clemson punter Bradley Pinion.

Some may argue that the worst pick could be San Francisco's first rounder: defensive end Arik Armstead. While Armstead will likely be a work in progress, the thought of the 49ers' initial pick emerging into a physical force keeps him from being a bust for the time being.

"

It's a long shot, but if Armstead and Carradine can break through eventually, that'd be a nasty pair of 34DEs to build around.

— Dylan DeSimone (@DeSimone_80) May 1, 2015"

Pinion might be the best punter available in the draft. He did average 41.1 yards per punt in three seasons with Clemson. But punters rarely get drafted, and CBS Sports didn't even list him as a draft-day target.

Regardless, Baalke ended up being the first general manager to take a specialist per Christian Gin of Examiner.com.

"

Pinion (6-5, 229 pounds) is the first specialist taken in the 2015 NFL Draft. #49ers

— Christian Gin (@Christian_Gin) May 2, 2015"

This pick probably was best suited to use elsewhere. The value and, possibly, the need just weren't there.

But Pinion's selection could be strictly for financial reasons. San Francisco's incumbent punter Andy Lee current deal expires after 2018. But with an average yearly salary of $3.4 million, it's feasible that Baalke is trying to get cheaper and younger here.

Yet Pinion would have likely been available as an undrafted free agent, which would have saved the pick for something else.

What the Experts Are Saying

Doug McSchooler/Associated Press

Mike Mayock of NFL.com accurately predicted San Francisco's first-round selection of Arik Armstead.

Pete Prisco, CBS Sports

CBS Sports' Pete Prisco weighed in on all the 49ers' selections from Rounds 1 through 3.

Of the 49ers' first-round pick of Arik Armstead, Prisco noted, "[Armstead] has a ton of ability, but he didn't always play like it. Can he reach his potential on the next level? I think he can."

This has largely been the concern over Armstead given his uninspiring numbers at Oregon. The hope here is that Tomsula can turn him into a force. If this happens, the 6'7", 292-pound prospect will have a lot of potential.

But Prisco wasn't a fan of the 49ers' third-round selection of defensive end Eli Harold. He wrote, "I am not a fan. I don't think [Harold is] tough enough."

But CBS Sports' Dane Brugler compared Harold to Detroit Lions pass-rusher Ezekiel Ansah, and that comparison should be good enough to negate Prisco's assessment. 

Mike Mayock, NFL.com

NFL.com's Mike Mayock (h/t Eric Branch of SFGate.com) had correctly guessed the 49ers' first-round pick when he stated that Armstead would be the "logical" choice for San Francisco.

"His length and power are both amazing," Mayock noted after the 49ers' initial pick. "He's a perfect scheme fit for the 49ers as a five-technique, which means he's a defensive end in a 3-4 defense. He's so young and inexperienced, but the sky is the limit."

Mayock's description is in line with Prisco's and similar with what has been said about Armstead in the weeks and months prior to the draft.

But Mayock disagreed with Prisco's analysis of Harold.

"I'm surprised [Harold] lasted this long," Mayock said. "Harold fits with what [49ers defensive coordinator] Eric Mangini wants to do. This is a perfect fit." 

Mayock's assessment is what 49ers fans and coaches hope to come true.

Todd McShay, ESPN

ESPN NFL analyst Todd McShay (h/t 49ers.com) was highly favorable of the 49ers' Round 2 selection of safety Jaquiski Tartt.

McShay noted that Tartt was an excellent run-stopper and played with a physical presence.

"

Todd McShay on Jaquiski Tartt: “He’s really good versus the run. He gets in the box and drops the hammer.” #49ersDraft

— San Francisco 49ers (@49ers) May 2, 2015"

The 49ers now have legitimate insurance behind incumbent safeties Antoine Bethea and Eric Reid. Tartt could be Bethea's replacement given the latter's age (30), and Tartt also provides the hard-hitting presence largely absent from San Francisco's secondary since the free-agent departure of safety Donte Whitner prior to the 2014 season.

Matt Miller, Bleacher Report

Bleacher Report NFL draft analyst Matt Miller touted a number of the 49ers' mid-round picks via his Twitter account.

Miller was hoping for Tartt to fall to San Francisco in Round 2. That happened. Miller was also positive regarding San Francisco's selections of running back Mike Davis and wide receiver DeAndre Smelter.

"

Really want Tartt to the 49ers

— Matt Miller (@nfldraftscout) May 2, 2015"

"

Love the Mike Davis pick for the 49ers.

— Matt Miller (@nfldraftscout) May 2, 2015"

"

DeAndre Smelter one of my favorites still on the board. He could be so good if given time to get healthy.

— Matt Miller (@nfldraftscout) May 2, 2015"

Hopefully Miller is correct in his assessments and hypes over these three prospects. If Tartt, Davis and Smelter can live up to potential, the 49ers will have a number of bona fide weapons on the roster for some time.

What's Left to Address

Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports

Trent Baalke solved a number of the team's needs. But pressing questions still remain.

The 49ers waited until Round 4 to add a wide receiver in DeAndre Smelter. And Smelter might not be ready for Week 1 given his ACL injury.

In a draft that had plenty of wide receiver targets, some may wonder whether or not Baalke struck out in this area or avoided risking another receiving bust like A.J. Jenkins from 2012.

True, San Francisco doesn't have to feel pressed getting another wide receiver into the fray immediately. Wideouts Torrey Smith and Anquan Boldin should occupy the top two spots, while Jerome Simpson, Bruce Ellington and Quinton Patton will compete for the remaining depth openings.

But Boldin enters a contract year in 2015, and the 49ers could have found his replacement earlier. Perhaps Smelter becomes that guy and/or Patton and Ellington develop into a more prominent role.

Still, this has to be regarded as a priority question after the upcoming season.

San Francisco's secondary received some help from safety Jaquiski Tartt. But the 49ers didn't tab any cornerbacks to replace free-agent departures Chris Culliver and Perrish Cox. 

Baalke's thinking here could be based upon the hope that up-and-coming defensive backs like Dontae Johnson, Jimmie Ward, Kenneth Acker and Keith Reaser are enough to provide the depth and attributes to maintain San Francisco's backfield effectiveness.

"

I think the @49ers didn't draft a CB because of their confidence in 2nd year CB Keith Reaser

— Larry Krueger (@sportslarryknbr) May 2, 2015"

Perhaps most surprisingly, the 49ers made zero effort to land an inside linebacker—surprising given the retirements of linebackers Patrick Willis and Chris Borland during the offseason.

"

The 49ers draft is over, and they did not select an inside linebacker, a cornerback or a healthy wide receiver.

— Matt Maiocco (@MaioccoCSN) May 2, 2015"

Linebackers NaVorro Bowman and Michael Wilhoite should get the starting roles in 2015. But there isn't a lot of depth behind them. 

Baalke did mention via Niners Nation that Tartt could be used as an inside linebacker in dime packages from time to time. But it's still a bit of a shock that San Francisco didn't address this apparent need.

Training camp and the preseason should reveal whether or not this becomes a problem.

Final Grade

Associated Press

Arik Armstead received a B grade from numerous pundits around the NFL.

Trent Baalke may not have had his best draft since becoming the 49ers general manager. Yet it would be hard to get worse than what happened in the 2012 NFL draft. Only one player from that season—guard Joe Looney—remains on the 49ers' roster.

San Francisco's first pick of Arik Armstead received a B grade from a number of analysts. Pete Prisco of CBS Sports gave the selection a B-plus.

I gave it a C grade on my pick-by-pick assessment since Armstead carries a significant risk of never living up to his expectations.

Overall, the 49ers get a C-plus grade after Baalke's efforts in the 2015 draft. A number of players like defensive end Eli Harold and wide receiver DeAndre Smelter are good value picks that fill short- and long-term needs (especially if Smelter heals quickly).

And the drafting of safety Jaquiski Tartt could wind up being a brilliant move if he emerges as a force within the 49ers secondary.

But there were more than enough head-scratching decisions. The drafting of punter Bradley Pinion highlights the questionable moves made by Baalke. His selection in Round 5 denied the 49ers a chance to land some late-round sleepers and potentially altered the remaining draft plans in Rounds 6 and 7.

Tight ends Blake Bell and Rory Anderson also have promise, but the 49ers already have enough competition for this position with fellow TEs Vernon Davis, Vance McDonald, Garrett Celek, Derek Carrier and Asante Cleveland on the roster. Perhaps either or both of these new tight ends wind up being bona fide red-zone threats, which San Francisco needs.

Baalke could have been more aggressive in landing some offensive threats. He missed out on playmaking wideouts that could contribute immediately. He also failed to address weaknesses at the cornerback and inside linebacker positions.

Perhaps the best assessment will come a year or so from now. Regrading the 49ers' 2015 draft class will provide ample evidence to determine whether or not Baalke got it right.

Until that time, hopes and performances will be the only guiding points in revealing the answer.

Grade: C-plus

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

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.