GM Trent Baalke desperately needed his 2016 draft class to bail him out. A year after a 5-11 season, he needed impact players at every position. When you don’t use free agency, your only hope in the NFL Draft.
The Saints have one in wide receiver Michael Thomas, who torched the 49ers for two touchdowns Sunday. The Cowboys have two who might lead them to the Super Bowl.
Which is why it was completely tone deaf of Baalke to draft cornerback Will Redmond with the No. 68 overall pick in the third round.
Defensive coordinator Jim O’Neil announced the 49ers will not activate Redmond from the IR this season. An ACL tear ended his college career at Mississippi State last October, and after playing some in the preseason, his knee is just not ready for football.
That’s not what Baalke told reporters after the draft.
“He will be healthy,” Baalke said. “He will be ready to go. So that’s a simple answer to a simple question.”
Fool me once, shame on me. You won’t fool 49ers fans seven different times with this ACL hoax and it’s caused irreparable harm to this 53-man roster. Repeating the same mistakes over and over is the definition of failure. The only two ACL players remaining on the roster are Tank Carradine and Keith Reaser — and neither are helping you win NFL games. Somebody should not be allowed to get away with this.
While there’s still eight games left to play — and most rookies take some time to develop — Baalke’s lack of difference makers selected in the 2016 draft class draft could be the final straw that requires Jed York to pull the plug. Let’s run down the list.
DL DeForest Buckner (No. 7 overall): He’s had 38 tackles and 2.0 sacks playing nearly every snap for one of the worst defenses in league history. We’re definitely not ready to label him one way or the other, but he hasn’t been the playmaker upgrade this defensive line.
OL Joshua Garnett (No. 28 overall): It was weird when he started the season inactive, because Baalke traded back into the first round to get him. You normally don’t do that for a developmental project. We’re glad the 49ers finally realized they had literally nothing to lose starting him at right guard. He’s been fine. The offensive line is actually the most consistent unit on the team.
CB Will Redmond (No. 68 overall): He will not play this season.
CB Rashard Robinson (No. 133 overall): Home run pick. Looks like a starter. This was Baalke’s best addition to the roster in the offseason. The secondary was already the strength of this team, though. And now they never get a real chance to shine because the front seven can’t stop the run.
DL Ronald Blair (No. 142 overall): He’s been playing more in sub packages, 24 snaps last week against New Orleans. Looks like he could be a rotational defensive lineman.
OL John Theus (No. 145 overall): He’s no longer on the roster.
OL Fahn Cooper (No. 174 overall): He’s on the practice squad.
QB Jeff Driskel (No. 207 overall): He was shaky in the preseason, but when the 49ers tried to practice squad him, the Bengals snatched Driskel up and added him to the 53-man roster.
RB Kelvin Taylor (No. 211 overall): He’s on the practice squad.
WR Aaron Burbridge (No. 213 overall): He has two catches for 20 yards and mostly plays special teams. This was one of the only new playmakers added on the offensive side of the football. Unbelievable.
CB Prince Charles Iworah (No. 249 overall): He’s on the practice squad.
This is Baalke’s resume. It’s right out there for everyone to see. It’s a good sign both Buckner and Garnett are starters, but Robinson has really been the only impact player from the draft.
Be honest with yourself, Jed. Do you trust Trent with this roster in 2017? The evidence is out in front of you.