The San Francisco 49ers received a wide range of grades for their eight selections in the 2026 NFL Draft, with evaluations spanning from an A- to a D-, depending on the outlet. Much of the criticism centered on perceived "reaches"—players selected earlier than their projected value would suggest.
Gennaro Filice of NFL.com is the latest to weigh in, assigning the 49ers a C- and ranking their class No. 30 overall—ahead of only the Jacksonville Jaguars and Los Angeles Rams.
So why the low marks?
"After trading down twice on Thursday, the 49ers had the honor of picking first on Friday, and they made a selection that took many by surprise," Filice explained. "Truth be told, De'Zhaun Stribling was a name that picked up serious steam as the draft cycle played out -- that 4.36 40 in Indy didn't hurt -- but 33rd overall still felt aggressive to me."
RELATED Shanahan: 49ers would have drafted De'Zhaun Stribling in Round 1
Still, Filice pointed to past 49ers receiver selections in a similar range that ultimately paid off—Brandon Aiyuk at No. 25 overall in 2020 and Deebo Samuel at No. 36 in 2019. While neither tenure ended ideally, both players contributed during their time in San Francisco.
The 49ers also selected Ricky Pearsall at No. 31 overall just two years ago, though it remains too early to judge that pick a success or failure.
Filice was particularly critical of the team's addition at running back.
"One position this Niners regime has truly struggled to evaluate in the draft: running back," he wrote. "San Francisco regularly spends middle-round currency on rushers, but the returns are seriously lacking. Will Kaelon Black be the back to break the dry spell? It felt like a reach to me in Round 3."
Head coach Kyle Shanahan recently revealed that Black was actually the second-rated running back on the 49ers' draft board, helping explain the decision to select him at No. 90 overall.
RELATED Shanahan: 49ers ranked Kaelon Black as the No. 2 RB on their draft board
Filice also identified his favorite and sleeper picks from San Francisco's class. Defensive tackle Gracen Halton earned the nod as his favorite selection.
"After trading a third-round pick to the Cowboys for Osa Odighizuwa back in March, San Francisco made another move to upgrade its interior pass rush with this fourth-round selection," Filice wrote. "Halton's undersized but disruptive, having piled up 8.5 sacks over the last two seasons at Oklahoma."
Cornerback Ephesians Prysock, also a fourth-round pick, was named the team's sleeper.
"An exceedingly long corner (6-3 3/8, 33 1/8-inch arms) who can move (4.45 40-yard dash), Prysock offers a rare traits package for the position," Filice added. "His lack of polish in coverage is why he was available on Day 3."
Despite the outside skepticism, the 49ers have made it clear they remain confident in their draft approach and don't put much emphasis on consensus rankings.
"We've got consensus in this building, and that's the consensus that I care about," general manager John Lynch declared.
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