The 2019 NFL Draft is behind us and now it's time for the "experts" to hand out their annual grades of each team's new rookie class.
Below are the grades issued by some of the more well-known analysts within the media and what they had to say about the San Francisco 49ers' newest crop of rookies. Included are quotes from each analyst's explanation for the awarded grade.
Mel Kiper, ESPN: B-
Mel Kiper's 2019 NFL draft grades: Best picks, steals, more
Kiper seemed impressed by general manager John Lynch and company's ability to improve the team's front seven with the additions of Dee Ford and Kwon Alexander.
"And now taking the No. 1 overall player on my board in Nick Bosa gives San Francisco two really, really talented pass-rushers to wreak havoc and force some turnovers on the outside while DeForest Buckner causes interior pressure."
The 49ers also added two wide receivers for quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo during Day 2 of the draft after selecting Deebo Samuel of South Carolina and Jalen Hurd of Baylor.
"Samuel is the best slot receiver in the class, while Hurd is a 6-foot-5 athletic specimen who's still learning the intricacies of running routes."
Kiper didn't like everything about how the 49ers attacked the draft. He felt Round 4 was too early to select punter Mitch Wishnowsky and thought the team would target a safety during Day 3.
"Kaden Smith (No. 176) ran really slow at the combine (4.92) but before that I thought he had a chance to go in Round 3. Getting him in Round 6 is good value."
Andy Benoit, The MMQB: B
NFL Draft 2019 Grades: Analysis All 32 Teams' Picks
Benoit believes the addition of Bosa makes the defense's front seven, which consists of DeForest Buckner, Dee Ford, and others, click together.
"Nick Bosa's arrival could catapult this defense to the top of the NFC West. Sound extreme? Consider that San Francisco's biggest problem last year was an anemic pass rush that not only made their Seahawks-style Cover 3 scheme impotent but also led to an astonishingly low seven forced turnovers on the season (four fewer than history's previous low, set by four other teams)."
"In Rounds 2 and 3 they took wide receivers Deebo Samuel and Jalen Hurd, rounding out their well-schemed offense that already has three passing game weapons who weren't on the field most of last year: QB Jimmy Garoppolo, RB Jerick McKinnon and newly signed RB Tevin Coleman."
Benoit believes there are still question marks in the 49ers secondary and he didn't like the selection of a punter over addressing other needs.
Chad Reuter, NFL.com: A-
2019 NFL Draft: Final quick-snap grades for all 32 teams
Reuter likes what the 49ers did to improve their pass rush by drafting Bosa and upgrades at wide receiver.
"Bosa's power comes into play as a pass rusher and run defender, and his career floor comparison is Chris Long -- that's pretty, pretty good."
"Samuel's ability to work inside and outside, his toughness, and his strong hands made him a no-brainer pick for the receiver-needy Niners in Round 2. Hurd could be a big steal if he continues to grow as a receiver. The selection of two wideouts was somewhat expected, given their lack of talent at the position."
As for the 49ers' Day 3 selections...
"Wishnowsky was the top punter in the draft, so the Niners picked him up earlier than expected on Saturday. He likely was not the top player available on most teams' boards. Greenlaw brings speed to the team's defense. Smith is a solid tight end to back up George Kittle. Harris suffered through injuries in college but has starter potential."
Pro Football Focus: Above Average
2019 NFL Draft grades for all 32 teams
Day 1 selection:
"A no-brainer selection for San Francisco, Nick Bosa is the best defensive player in the 2019 NFL Draft and has the potential to be even better than his brother Joey at the next level."
Day 2 selections:
"Built a bit like a running back, Samuel is a freak after the catch that can ruin defenses in the short and intermediate areas of the field. Hurd, on the other hand, is a former running back turned big slot receiver that has insane measurables but will need polish at the next level."
Day 3 selections:
"Virginia's Tim Harris, though he's a bit of an older prospect, is a great value pick for the 49ers at pick No. 198 ... He earned the 11th-best coverage grade (87.1) in the class this past season."
Vinnie Iyer, Sporting News: C+
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Iyer not only graded each NFL team's draft, but he also ranked them from No. 1 to 32. The 49ers came in at No. 20 on the list.
"John Lynch started with the no-brainer pick of Bosa, the best overall talent in the draft, giving the 49ers a good base. He got creative with Samuel and Hurd, and Smith was good value late. This class pales in comparison to Lynch's recent work, however."
Nate Davis, USA Today: A
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"DE Nick Bosa was widely regarded as the top player coming out this year and bolsters what should be a nasty Niners D-line. Spending next year's second rounder on a trade for established pass rusher Dee Ford looks like a bargain considering what his former team, Kansas City, subsequently surrendered for Frank Clark. WRs Deebo Samuel and Jalen Hurd should added needed zip to a passing game that got a disproportionate amount of its 2018 dividends from TE George Kittle."
Walter Cherepinsky, WalterFootball.com: B-
Bosa was the no-brainer selection for a 49ers team looking to improve its pass rush.
"The 49ers haven't boasted a potent edge rush since the early part of this decade, and Bosa will change that. He'll help an ailing secondary that was torched relentlessly last year."
Cherepinsky didn't like that the 49ers didn't improve their secondary as many expected them to do.
"Instead, they wasted picks on a second receiver (Jalen Hurd) and a punter, which was absolutely inexcusable. There's no reason to draft a punter prior to the seventh round. Punters grow on trees and can be found anywhere. Talented cornerbacks, conversely, are not in ample supply."
Despite the negatives, Cherepinsky felt the 49ers had a solid draft which could have been even better with some defensive backfield upgrades.
