Honest Jim said before this draft that it could be a defining draft for Trent Baalke, the kind of draft that vaults him into the pantheon of great GMs. He wants this draft class to succeed.

That is partly why I believe many of the young men selected and signed over the last week will make the roster in September.

As an outside observer, there are many reasons to want this draft class to succeed as well. Patton, Lattimore, Okoye...who wouldn't want kids like these to do well in the NFL?

And Eric Reid with his cute daughter, Tank Carradine and his torn ACL, Corey Lemonier and big ole Quinton Dial... how could a coach deny guys like these a badge and a horse and a chance to ride with this 49ers posse in the fall?

Give Baalke his due: he's doubled down on personality as well as talent in this draft.