49ers GM Trent Baalke on Ronald Blair: “He was One of My Personal Favorites.”

USA Today Sports/Kyle Terada

Not many Forever Faithful realize this but if it wasn’t for San Francisco 49ers GM Trent Baalke moving down two spots for DE Arik Armstead in the 2015 NFL Draft, the selection of fifth-round pick (No. 142) DE Ronald Blair would have never materialized.

Credit to Baalke for ’15 Draft trade w/#Chargers: #49ers Get:
DE @arikarmstead
TE Blake Bell
DE Ronald Blair

SD get:
RB Melvin Gordon

— Ryan Sakamoto (@SakamotoRyan) May 10, 2016

A three-for-one deal that sent the 49ers first-round pick (No. 15) to the San Diego Chargers, the 49ers were very fortunate to get a bargain in this lopsided trade.

Baalke had the opportunity to talk about one of those picks he acquired from San Diego while then dubbing the selection as “one of his favorites.” Watch the video below and learn what else he told KNBR as Baalke had some nice praise for his small-school kid:

#49ers GM Trent Baalke had high praise for his 5th round pick DE Ronald Blair! #SpotSakamoto #ForeverFaithful pic.twitter.com/SFtgo2tHpm

— Ryan Sakamoto (@SakamotoRyan) May 10, 2016