When you think about how deep the 49ers roster has been and how good they’ve been at stockpiling draft picks, you might assume they have drafting down to an art/science. But the last decade or so has been a lot more hit and miss than you’d expect. Specifically they haven’t always done a great job with their top picks. And when you play in a division as tough as the NFC West, one mistake in the draft can haunt you. The 49ers have enjoyed three straight trips to the NFC Championship but their odds of getting into the playoffs this year are mall. They are chasing the last wild card spot behind two games with only three to play. It will not only take a 3-0 run to make it, they’ll need help as well. Here are five picks they’d likely like to have back. Three of them are receivers, so clearly the 49ers have struggled to select their next Jerry Rice. Not included on this list is Aldon Smith but he may turn into a bust if he doesn’t keep himself on the straight and narrow:
5. Michael Crabtree, WR, Texas Tech – 1oth pick overall in 2009
From a longevity standpoint Crabtree is still on the roster so this pick could have been worse. For a top 10 pick, though, he’s never really lived up to the hype. His best season by far was 2012 when he had 85 catches for 1,105 yards and 9 touchdowns. Besides that year, though, his career has been mired by inconsistent play and disappointment. Things got off to a very rough start as Crabtree was the longest rookie contract holdout in franchise history as he threatened to sit out his rookie year. He wouldn’t sign until October 7th of 2009 and the whole experience immediately put him at odds with the front office, coaching staff and fan base. Crabtree missed most of 2013 with a torn Achilles tendon injury and he’s largely been a disappointment this season. The three receivers taken after Crabtree, Jeremy Maclin, Percy Harvin and Hakeem Nicks, have all have better NFL careers so far.
4. Alex Smith, QB, Utah – 1st pick overall in 2005
This pick could have turned out much worse if it wasn’t for Jim Harbaugh. Certainly Smith is nowhere near the Akili Smith/Ryan Leaf/JaMarcus Russell high draft pick category. Still, he clearly wasn’t worthy of being selected 1st overall and receiving a 6 year $49.5 million deal. In 6 seasons before Harbaugh, Smith had a career best single season rating of 82.1. That span included a pay cut, a demotion to backing up Shaun Hill, and fans pleading for the 49ers to give over the reins to backup David Carr (yes, really). Overall it seems clear that the pick was a disaster, especially when you consider Aaron Rodgers was an option. Smith had two solid “game manager” type season under Harbaugh and even led the 49ers to the NFC Championship in 2012 before the team decided to go with Colin Kaepernick instead. So that pick was salvaged, somewhat, but for 1st overall the 49ers clearly didn’t get the return on their investment, especially when you consider the fact that the second quarterback taken in that draft may very well turn out to be the best of all time when he’s done.
3. Kentwan Balmer, DT, North Carolina – 29th pick overall in 2008
Balmer played two seasons with the 49ers, spending one of them on injured reserve. He was then traded for a 6th round pick. Not the kind of return you want to see out of a 1st round pick. He posted 19 tackles, no sacks and no starts in two seasons as a reserve. Jason Jones would have been a better pick at DT, or the 49ers could have gone with Brandon Flowers, Matt Forte, DeSean Jackson or Jamaal Charles to name a few.
2. Rashaun Woods, WR, Oklahoma State – 31st pick overall in 2004
Woods played one NFL season catching 7 balls. Unbelievably he’s not even the worst receiver pick the 49ers have made in recent years as you’ll see below. He tore ligaments in his thumb, then was traded, then ended up in the CFL and never returned to the NFL. The next three players selected were Benjamin Watson, Karlos Dansby and Chris Snee. The next receiver taken was Devery Henderson, a starter on the Saints’ 2009 Super Bowl champion team.
1. A. J. Jenkins, WR, Illinois – 30th pick overall in 2012
Jenkins was active in only three games his rookie season and targeted once, which resulted in a drop. The 49ers then immediately traded him to the Chiefs the following offseason for Jon Baldwin. Since then Baldwin totaled 3 catches and Jenkins 17. One can’t dream up of a bigger waste of a 1st round pick. The player taken after Jenkins was Pro Bowler Doug Martin, but in fairness the 49ers could have selected pretty much anyone and it would have been a better pick. If they really wanted a receiver, it’s worth noting Alshon Jeffery was taken 14 picks later.
Check out our other installments:
Five draft picks why the Dolphins won’t make the playoffs
Five draft picks why the Titans won’t make the playoffs
Five draft picks why the Saints won’t make the playoffs
Five draft picks why the Jets won’t make the playoffs
Five draft picks why the Bucs won’t make the playoffs
Five draft picks why the Vikings won’t make the playoffs
Five draft picks why the Rams won’t make the playoffs
Five draft picks why the Raiders won’t make the playoffs
