NFL Draft results 2015: San Francisco 49ers take Arik Armstead with No. 17 pick

Aug 30, 2014; Eugene, OR, USA; Oregon Ducks defensive lineman Arik Armstead (9) reacts after making a defensive play against South Dakota Coyotes at Autzen Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jaime Valdez-USA TODAY Sports
Aug 30, 2014; Eugene, OR, USA; Oregon Ducks defensive lineman Arik Armstead (9) reacts after making a defensive play against South Dakota Coyotes at Autzen Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jaime Valdez-USA TODAY Sports /
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With the No. 17 pick in the 2015 NFL Draft the San Francisco 49ers drafted Oregon Ducks defensive lineman Arik Armstead.


The San Francisco 49ers were scheduled to pick at No. 15 in the draft, but swapped first round picks and moved down two spots with the San Diego Chargers who gave up a fourth round pick this year and a fifth round pick in next year’s draft.

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The Chargers moved up to take Wisconsin running back Melvin Gordon while the 49ers drafted

It was an offseason of defections for the 49ers who said goodbye to Jim Harbaugh and most of his coaching staff, Patrick Willis retired, Chris Borland retired after his rookie season, Frank Gore signed with the Indianapolis Colts and Michael Crabtree signed with the Oakland Raiders.

Their biggest acquisition this offseason came when they were on the board at No. 17 when they selected Oregon Ducks defensive lineman Arik Armstead.

He is 6-7 and 292 pounds who should be an ideal fit as a defensive end in the 49ers three-man front. He has a lot of potential, but that also means he is not a finished product. He only has four career sacks in his college career despite his overwhelming physical prowess over his opponents.

The talent is there and he could be the next Calais Campbell, but he hasn’t dominated in college like you would expect of a player with his physical skills. Could Jim Tomsula bring out the best of him? Perhaps, and it should benefit Armstead to have a yearlong dedication to football after playing basketball up until last year, so this could be a boom-or-bust pick.

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