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5 NFL Draft Prospects San Francisco 49ers Fans Need To Know About

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5 NFL Draft Prospects San Francisco 49ers Fans Need To Know About

NFL: San Francisco 49ers-Press Conference - Trent Baalke
Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports

The San Francisco 49ers have a very talented roster heading into the 2015 NFL Draft. With the No. 15 pick overall in the draft, the 49ers are in a great position to add more weapons to their 53-man roster. General manager Trent Baalke has always played his draft board close to the vest, and so fans are left to wonder which athletes he will be keeping an eye on this draft season.

Here are the 5 top draft prospects fans should know.

5. Brett Hundley, QB

NCAA Football: Southern California at UCLA - Brett Hundley
Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports

5. Brett Hundley, QB

NCAA Football: Southern California at UCLA - Brett Hundley
Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports

The 49ers have lacked an acceptable backup for franchise quarterback Colin Kaepernick since trading Alex Smith to the Chiefs in 2013. UCLA star Brett Hundley is what the 49ers have been looking for. The 6-foot-3, 227-pound mobile QB has similar traits as Kaepernick, and he too needs a lot of work in the pocket.

4. Maxx Williams, TE

NCAA Football: Iowa at Minnesota - Maxx Williams
Jesse Johnson-USA TODAY Sports

4. Maxx Williams, TE

NCAA Football: Iowa at Minnesota - Maxx Williams
Jesse Johnson-USA TODAY Sports

Pro Bowler Vernon Davis and former second-round pick Vance McDonald had very disappointing seasons in 2014. McDonald is not living up to his draft status, and Davis looks more concerned with his “brand” than playing football. Maxx Williams, a 6-foot-4, 250-pound tight end from Minnesota, has Davis' size, athleticism, receiving skills and quickness. Above all, he is younger and cheaper than Davis.

3. Trae Waynes, CB

NCAA Football: Michigan State at Penn State - Trae Waynes
Matthew O'Haren-USA TODAY Sports

3. Trae Waynes, CB

NCAA Football: Michigan State at Penn State - Trae Waynes
Matthew O'Haren-USA TODAY Sports

Chris Culliver and Perrish Cox were the most productive cornerbacks on the 49ers' roster last season. Being free agents this year, both are likely to find more lucrative contracts elsewhere and will be out of San Francisco’s price range. Michigan State standout Trae Waynes has the size (6-foot-1, 182 pounds) of the new prototypical cornerback that is now desirable in the NFL. He is quick, physical and reliable in coverage.

2. Eddie Goldman, DT

Eddie Goldman Florida State
Matthew Emmons-USA TODAY Sports

2. Eddie Goldman, DT

Eddie Goldman Florida State
Matthew Emmons-USA TODAY Sports

Veteran defensive lineman Justin Smith is likely to retire this year which will be a huge loss for the 49ers. “Cowboy” has been the unquestioned leader of this defensive line and has been the engine that drove a top-five ranked defense since 2011. Drafting Eddie Goldman out of Florida State would lessen that loss. Goldman has the pass rushing and run stopping abilities of Smith, but he's 30 pounds heavier. He is quick, strong and disruptive.

1. Jaelen Strong, WR

NCAA Football: Arizona State at Arizona - Jaelen Strong
Casey Sapio-USA TODAY Sports

1. Jaelen Strong, WR

NCAA Football: Arizona State at Arizona - Jaelen Strong
Casey Sapio-USA TODAY Sports

The key offensive component that San Francisco has been lacking is a wide receiver to stretch the field. The 49ers have possession type receivers who are big and strong, but lack the necessary speed. Jaelen Strong out of Arizona State possesses all of those qualities. While not having an elite level of speed, he has the quickness to get separation from a defender with the height (6-foot-3) and strength (212 pounds) to fight for jump balls.

James Forsythe is an NFL contributor at www.RantSports.com. You can Follow him on Twitter @9erJim, and add him to your network on Google.

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