49ers Draft Stock Watch: 5 Players Rising and Falling on San Francisco's Board

Trent Baalke seems to take pleasure in surprising us.During his first year as the San Francisco 49ers general manager (2011), most draft experts expected him to spend his first-round pick on a quarterbackeither Jake Locker, Blaine Gabbert or Christian Ponder. The experts did not expect Baalke to draft Aldon Smith, because they thought Smith didnt fit the Niners 3-4 defense.Baalke drafted Smith.The next year, most experts expected Baalke to spend his first-round pick on a guard. Instead, he drafted wide receiver A.J. Jenkins. Many fans had never heard of Jenkins. Baalke bragged that he had written Jenkins name on a piece of paper and sealed it in an envelope before the draft. Baalke was that certain Jenkins would be available when the 49ers picked, and Baalke couldnt wait to pick him and shock people.Jenkins was a shocker, all right.Just this past year, Baalke spent his first-round pick on another player many fans hadnt heard ofJimmie Ward from Northern Illinois University.Draft experts almost never figure out ahead of time whom Baalke intends to draft. We rarely read reports or even rumors about which players Baalke likes, may like or is considering liking.So, we guess. And we usually guess wrong.Despite that, here is my best guess as to which players may be rising or falling on Baalkes draft board.Begin Slideshow
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