The San Francisco 49ers again had a large class from the 2016 NFL draft, selecting 11 players when it was all said and done. Less than one full season into that group's career, the results have been mixed, with three members looking like potential long-term starters, another flashing some upside and three already gone from the organization.
Grade: B-minus
Best rookie: DT DeForest Buckner. Buckner has played more snaps than any NFL interior defensive lineman despite missing a game because of injury. Although those snaps have produced some ups and downs, Buckner has showed glimpses of becoming the player the Niners thought they were getting when they selected him No. 7 overall. Buckner has made particular strides as a pass-rusher and figures to get better when the Niners can surround him with more talent.
Most improved rookie: G Joshua Garnett. Garnett got a late start compared with his rookie brethren because rules prevented him from joining the team until his class at Stanford had completed the academic year. It set Garnett a bit behind the curve, and he didn't win a starting job until Week 6. He has taken steps in the right direction since then, and though he still has work to do, especially in pass protection, he looks as though he'll hold a starting job up front for a long time to come.
Most disappointing rookie: CB Will Redmond. Through no fault of his own, Redmond didn't contribute to the Niners at all in 2016. He was coming off a torn ACL suffered in his final season at Mississippi State, and the team hoped he would be able to go on injured reserve and return later in the season. But the Niners opened his window to return too soon, and he wasn't ready to play after those 21 days were up, leaving him on IR for the rest of the season. As a third-round pick, Redmond might not have been expected to start right away, but to not play a single snap as a rookie can only be considered a disappointment.
The jury is still out on...: OT John Theus. Other than No. 3 quarterback Christian Ponder, Theus is the other player on the roster who is always a safe bet to appear on the pregame inactive list. Theus has yet to be active in a game this season. As a fifth-round pick stuck behind Joe Staley and Trent Brown, it's understandable that the Niners will take some time to develop Theus, but it will be hard to know what they have in him until he gets an opportunity to play.
Undrafted rookie check-in: The 49ers do not have any undrafted rookies on the 53-man roster.