The 2020 NFL Draft is in the books, and that means 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-
2020 NFL draft grades: Mel Kiper on all 32 classes, best picks, steals, sleepers
Kiper feels the 49ers making just five selections makes their newest draft class difficult to evaluate. He believes general manager John Lynch and head coach Kyle Shanahan did what they could during Day 1 of the draft to fill the needs created by the departures of defensive tackle DeForest Buckner and wide receiver Emmanuel Sanders.
"San Francisco scooped up interior penetrator Javon Kinlaw (14), and he'll be a Buckner fill-in. He's cheaper than Buckner, of course, but does he have Buckner's ceiling? Then the 49ers traded into the 25th pick to get wideout Brandon Aiyuk, a fantastic athlete who dominated in the Pac-12 last season. Shanahan is already fired up about how he'll use Aiyuk, and quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo will love him."
While Kiper likes the first two picks, he isn't as impressed by the rest of the draft class, calling each of the three final selections "NFL backups." The trade with Washington to acquire offensive tackle Trent Williams helps the grade.
Andy Benoit, Sports Illustrated: A-
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Benoit says trades left the 49ers with just two meaningful draft picks — Kinlaw and Aiyuk. He likes that Lynch and Shanahan opted to draft a defensive lineman when most thought they would replace Sanders at No. 14, especially when two of the perceived top-three receivers were still on the board.
"The fact that the Niners traded up in the late first round to get Brandon Aiyuk says they must be smitten with the Arizona State star. Stylistically, he [fits] their offense. Scouts liked Aiyuk's effectiveness operating on the move, which is a key characteristic in Shanahan's timing-based offense. He also has shown he can align in a variety of positions."
As for Kinlaw...
"Coordinator Robert Saleh's scheme is predicated on having a potent four-man pass rush. The Niners rode that to a Super Bowl appearance last year."
Chad Reuter, NFL.com: B+
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Reuter mentions that the 49ers used their first-round picks to replace Buckner and bolster the receiver group. He notes that while Colton McKivitz primarily played tackle in college, he could be a "very good starting guard" in the NFL. Reuter calls Jauan Jennings "a big receiver who wins with physicality -- not speed."
Vinnie Iyer, Sporting News: A-
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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. 11 on his list, much better than last year's placement at No. 20.
"The 49ers knew this draft wasn't one meant for volume and also knew they had to get immediate rookie replacements for DeForest Buckner (Kinlaw) and Emmanuel Sanders (Aiyuk). They also jumped on the trade for Trent Williams with Joe Staley retiring and were able to get rid of two superfluous offensive players, Matt Breida and Marquise Goodwin, for extra picks. McKivitz and Woerner were solid depth picks. Jennings may end up being a final-pick steal."
Nate Davis, USA Today: B+
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Davis liked the 49ers replacing Buckner, finding a receiver to complement Deebo Samuel in the first round, and finding a way to trade for a seven-time Pro Bowl tackle to replace Staley.
"They wound up making just five selections, but jeez. Top pick Javon Kinlaw (14th overall) likely isn't the next Buckner but certainly a first-rate replacement conducive to cap management. First-round WR Brandon Aiyuk should form a dynamic tandem with 2019 second-rounder Deebo Samuel. But to pick up a Pro Bowler in Williams for two mid-round picks while offloading the remainder of WR Marquise Goodwin's contract on Philadelphia? Yeoman's work, Mr. Lynch."
Pro Football Focus: B+
2020 NFL Draft grades for all 32 teams
Regarding the first-round selection of Kinlaw:
"He's a physical specimen with the kind of pass-rushing tools and production you love at the position, highlighted by an 18.1% pass-rush win rate in 2019 that trailed only Jordan Elliott in the class."
The PFF team calls Aiyuk a "certified freak of an athlete," and noted his nearly 11 yards after the catch per reception in 2019.
The biggest news from Saturday was Staley's retirement and Williams' addition to replace him.
"The former Washington tackle has put up eight consecutive seasons of 75.0-plus overall grades and is one of the top tackles in the league when healthy."
PFF also liked the selection of Jennings in the seventh round.
"Jennings averaged over 7.5 yards after the catch per reception in both 2018 and 2019, and he forced a whopping 30 missed tackles after the catch last season. That will certainly play well in Kyle Shanahan's offense."
Luke Easterling, Draft Wire: C+
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Easterling wasn't too fond of the 49ers' decision to pass on one of the top receivers in this draft class at No. 14.
"I like Kinlaw a lot, but passing on both Jeudy and Lamb at No. 14, after trading back a spot, made little sense. Aiyuk is a well-rounded receiver with potential, but he's not on the same level as those two, who were both top-10 talents in this draft."
Easterling expected San Francisco to do more with its later picks, despite the shortage of selections. He doesn't sound too impressed by Lynch's and Shanahan's moves.
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