49ers select Kaelon Black, RB, Indiana at no. 90

Originally posted by English:

Originally posted by AB81Rules:

Originally posted by English:

Originally posted by maxsmart:
Tom Brady or Joe Montana would have been great picks at #1 overall. But if know a guy is gonna be available in rd 5, you should wait until rd 4 to take him

How would you know that he was going to be available in the 5th? It's not that simple.

I don't get how anyone would know whether someone would have been available later I mean ppl said that about Aiyuk and it came out that the Packers were gonna take him before we traded up so no one knows whether someone would have been there later

Yes, there was a great deal of complaining about how Lynch didn't get value for his draft picks. The point is, for me, how much do you want the player, how valuable will he be? There are enough coaching and GM folk now from the Shanahan and Lynch school around the NFL that we are not as likely to pick up too many surprises as we were. Why gamble with a draftee that you believe will be a starter, maybe a real contributor? Could we have left Kittle to the 6th? Purdy to an UDFA?

My issue with the pick isn't necessarily the player (honestly I haven't watched all that much) it's the position….why can't we let James or Issac develop? Every yr they draft a RB and almost every yr that RB gets replaced by the next RB that's drafted (or a UDFA). I feel like it's the one position that they don't care develop at all.

If your plan is to turnover the RB depth every yr, then stop using meaningful picks to do it. Stop moving up for players that you basically toss in the trash after a yr.

Originally posted by Giedi:
Walsh wanted Phil Sims, but he was taken in the first round, and Walsh ended up with Joe. Walsh wanted Eddie Brown, but Cincinnati picked him up two spots ahead at round 1, pick 13. Walsh ended up with Jerry Rice at round 1, pick 16.

*You* don't know wither Keon Black is going to be the next Eddie Brown or Jerry Rice. You just *think* you know.

True or not, there's another important point in this.

Originally posted by 49ers81:
And how would you "know" when a specific player was going to be taken. or if he would still be available when you wanted to pick him? There has been reporting that some team execs reached out to Kyle after the Stribling pick and said, "We can't believe you took him there, we were going to take him." These were execs who clearly thought he would be available later. Oops. Seems to me if there's a player you like, you take him when the opportunity presents itself, within reason of course.

I suppose I'm one of the few people in here who didn't care that they took Moody in the 3rd round. IF, he had been the guy who locked down the position for ten years, provided them with reliable service, made the kicks he needed to make, and finished in the top ten a few tomes it would have been well worth it. How many third-round picks end up providing that kind of value? Not a lot probably. Their problem was they ended up taking the wrong kicker. Turns out that "Money Moody" didn't have the mental toughness to really succeed at the NFL level. I'm not sure that's something you can know about a player until he gets there.

I wasn't aware of this. Can you link the reporting?

Originally posted by SmokeyJoe:

Originally posted by 49ers81:
And how would you "know" when a specific player was going to be taken. or if he would still be available when you wanted to pick him? There has been reporting that some team execs reached out to Kyle after the Stribling pick and said, "We can't believe you took him there, we were going to take him." These were execs who clearly thought he would be available later. Oops. Seems to me if there's a player you like, you take him when the opportunity presents itself, within reason of course.

I suppose I'm one of the few people in here who didn't care that they took Moody in the 3rd round. IF, he had been the guy who locked down the position for ten years, provided them with reliable service, made the kicks he needed to make, and finished in the top ten a few tomes it would have been well worth it. How many third-round picks end up providing that kind of value? Not a lot probably. Their problem was they ended up taking the wrong kicker. Turns out that "Money Moody" didn't have the mental toughness to really succeed at the NFL level. I'm not sure that's something you can know about a player until he gets there.

I wasn't aware of this. Can you link the reporting?

Several executives from around the NFL reached out to Kyle Shanahan after the 49ers selected De'Zhaun Stribling at pick No. 33 in the 2026 NFL Draft. The rival executives sent Shanahan texts expressing disappointment that San Francisco nabbed the wide receiver ahead of them, as they had planned to draft him shortly after. [1, 2, 3, 4]

Originally posted by Hoovtrain:
Several executives from around the NFL reached out to Kyle Shanahan after the 49ers selected De'Zhaun Stribling at pick No. 33 in the 2026 NFL Draft. The rival executives sent Shanahan texts expressing disappointment that San Francisco nabbed the wide receiver ahead of them, as they had planned to draft him shortly after. [1, 2, 3, 4]

I searched it too and got that AI response. The problem for me was the sources they cited, at least for my search, didn't make the claim.

What were the sources you have there? The 1,2,3 and 4.

Originally posted by NYniner85:

Originally posted by English:

Originally posted by AB81Rules:

Originally posted by English:

Originally posted by maxsmart:
Tom Brady or Joe Montana would have been great picks at #1 overall. But if know a guy is gonna be available in rd 5, you should wait until rd 4 to take him

How would you know that he was going to be available in the 5th? It's not that simple.

I don't get how anyone would know whether someone would have been available later I mean ppl said that about Aiyuk and it came out that the Packers were gonna take him before we traded up so no one knows whether someone would have been there later

Yes, there was a great deal of complaining about how Lynch didn't get value for his draft picks. The point is, for me, how much do you want the player, how valuable will he be? There are enough coaching and GM folk now from the Shanahan and Lynch school around the NFL that we are not as likely to pick up too many surprises as we were. Why gamble with a draftee that you believe will be a starter, maybe a real contributor? Could we have left Kittle to the 6th? Purdy to an UDFA?

My issue with the pick isn't necessarily the player (honestly I haven't watched all that much) it's the position….why can't we let James or Issac develop? Every yr they draft a RB and almost every yr that RB gets replaced by the next RB that's drafted (or a UDFA). I feel like it's the one position that they don't care develop at all.

If your plan is to turnover the RB depth every yr, then stop using meaningful picks to do it. Stop moving up for players that you basically toss in the trash after a yr.

Reading the tea leaves, Guerrendo didn't develop as they hoped last year. He and James are big question marks, and as 4th and 5th round selections, are far from guaranteed to be long term fixes at the position. Combined with CMCs age and usage, the pick makes sense. I mean, you could certainly argue it's not as big of a need as other areas, but it's still an area where depth and forward thinking are needed to keep the position properly stocked with talent.

If Kaelon is an effective RB I'd like to see KS play CMC at slot receiver for a few plays a game.

IMO, CMC would be spectacular at it.

Originally posted by SmokeyJoe:

Originally posted by 49ers81:
And how would you "know" when a specific player was going to be taken. or if he would still be available when you wanted to pick him? There has been reporting that some team execs reached out to Kyle after the Stribling pick and said, "We can't believe you took him there, we were going to take him." These were execs who clearly thought he would be available later. Oops. Seems to me if there's a player you like, you take him when the opportunity presents itself, within reason of course.

I suppose I'm one of the few people in here who didn't care that they took Moody in the 3rd round. IF, he had been the guy who locked down the position for ten years, provided them with reliable service, made the kicks he needed to make, and finished in the top ten a few tomes it would have been well worth it. How many third-round picks end up providing that kind of value? Not a lot probably. Their problem was they ended up taking the wrong kicker. Turns out that "Money Moody" didn't have the mental toughness to really succeed at the NFL level. I'm not sure that's something you can know about a player until he gets there.

I wasn't aware of this. Can you link the reporting?

I'm pretty sure Kyle said it in the interview he did with Rich Eisen right after the draft and it's been picked up on in a couple of other places.

Originally posted by krizay:

Originally posted by Memphis9er:
Yeah man, that is exactly why we picked him and Stribling, because they both can block.... There are videos above from two very knowledgeable football nerds (JonnyDel and Greg Cosell) that show you why what you posted is just inane. At least check them out before you start with the three rounds too early BS.

With all due respect there were hype videos for TDP and Trey Sermon too. In fact, one of the football nerds (Greg Cosell) had price as one of his sleepers that year.

You can throw some plays together to make even Trey Lance and AJ Jenkins look like they're worth their picks.

Dude was picked too early no matter how much sugar anyone wants to coat it.

No, he wasn't. He was picked where the team valued him. Just because people who have no idea of what his worth is to the Niners tell you he was picked too early doesn't mean they are right. The entire consensus argument is low IQ, talking head nonsense.

Originally posted by Chance:
Reading the tea leaves, Guerrendo didn't develop as they hoped last year. He and James are big question marks, and as 4th and 5th round selections, are far from guaranteed to be long term fixes at the position. Combined with CMCs age and usage, the pick makes sense. I mean, you could certainly argue it's not as big of a need as other areas, but it's still an area where depth and forward thinking are needed to keep the position properly stocked with talent.

Issac imo had a successful rookie yr then just didn't even play in 2026….they gave up 2 5ths to get him. It wasn't just a 4th.

James was hurt all yr and never got any opportunities when he was finally healthy. Any other position I would agree that they aren't guaranteed snaps or anything, but I disagree at RB.

Also this is a constant for years not just the last couple drafts. We can go back to yr one with this regime and almost every drafted RB has been a failure or not even given a chance to develop into something more.

this was a historically horrible RB draft class. So of course SF feels the need to overdraft one in the top 100. They do s**t like this all the damn time and it almost never works.

I disagree with the forward thinking as well. You got two RBs on rookie deals that you apparently loved just wasting away. So the idea is to just draft another one and essentially move off a guy who's dirt cheap and you just liked enough to draft?

at some point results matter and either their scouting department sucks or the position coaches pounding the table for these guys suck at evaluating…their philosophy needs to be updated asap.

Originally posted by NYniner85:
Issac imo had a successful rookie yr then just didn't even play in 2026….they gave up 2 5ths to get him. It wasn't just a 4th.

James was hurt all yr and never got any opportunities when he was finally healthy. Any other position I would agree that they aren't guaranteed snaps or anything, but I disagree at RB.

Also this is a constant for years not just the last couple drafts. We can go back to yr one with this regime and almost every drafted RB has been a failure or not even given a chance to develop into something more.

this was a historically horrible RB draft class. So of course SF feels the need to overdraft one in the top 100. They do s**t like this all the damn time and it almost never works.

I disagree with the forward thinking as well. You got two RBs on rookie deals that you apparently loved just wasting away. So the idea is to just draft another one and essentially move off a guy who's dirt cheap and you just liked enough to draft?

at some point results matter and either their scouting department sucks or the position coaches pounding the table for these guys suck at evaluating…their philosophy needs to be updated asap.

Agree on the RB *draft* but ShanaLynch has been very successful in getting and developing RB's from free agency and trades.

2017, they got Kyle Juszczyk (trade), Brieda (free agency),
2018, developed Raheem Mostert (from the 2016 49ers special teams squad), Jeff Wilson (UDFA)
2019, didn't need a running back, they already had a Super Bowl running back squad.
2021, Elija Mitchell (draft, round 6, pick 194)
2022, Jordan Mason (UDFA), Christian McCaffrey (trade)
2023, didn't need a running back, they already had a Super Bowl running back squad.
2024, Issac Guerendo (draft - great first year but a question mark)
2025, Jordan James (draft - injured first year, never really played)
2026, Kaelon Black (draft)

I think going into 2026, they have a lot of question marks at running back, but also a lot of potential talent that (in my opinion) they can develop into a possible Super Bowl Squad level RB's (especially since CMC is still in the later prime of his career). In other words, draft isn't the only way to get a running back.

Originally posted by NYniner85:
Issac imo had a successful rookie yr then just didn't even play in 2026….they gave up 2 5ths to get him. It wasn't just a 4th.

James was hurt all yr and never got any opportunities when he was finally healthy. Any other position I would agree that they aren't guaranteed snaps or anything, but I disagree at RB.

Also this is a constant for years not just the last couple drafts. We can go back to yr one with this regime and almost every drafted RB has been a failure or not even given a chance to develop into something more.

this was a historically horrible RB draft class. So of course SF feels the need to overdraft one in the top 100. They do s**t like this all the damn time and it almost never works.

I disagree with the forward thinking as well. You got two RBs on rookie deals that you apparently loved just wasting away. So the idea is to just draft another one and essentially move off a guy who's dirt cheap and you just liked enough to draft?

at some point results matter and either their scouting department sucks or the position coaches pounding the table for these guys suck at evaluating…their philosophy needs to be updated asap.

It's stupid how much draft capital they waste. They straight up burn picks and never learn from it.

2026 draft is no different. I predict that there will be plenty of burned picks in this class.

Originally posted by Giedi:
Agree on the RB *draft* but ShanaLynch has been very successful in getting and developing RB's from free agency and trades.

2017, they got Kyle Juszczyk (trade), Brieda (free agency),
2018, developed Raheem Mostert (from the 2016 49ers special teams squad), Jeff Wilson (UDFA)
2019, didn't need a running back, they already had a Super Bowl running back squad.
2021, Elija Mitchell (draft, round 6, pick 194)
2022, Jordan Mason (UDFA), Christian McCaffrey (trade)
2023, didn't need a running back, they already had a Super Bowl running back squad.
2024, Issac Guerendo (draft - great first year but a question mark)
2025, Jordan James (draft - injured first year, never really played)
2026, Kaelon Black (draft)

I think going into 2026, they have a lot of question marks at running back, but also a lot of potential talent that (in my opinion) they can develop into a possible Super Bowl Squad level RB's (especially since CMC is still in the later prime of his career). In other words, draft isn't the only way to get a running back.

If they're so amazing at developing RBs then stop burning meaningful draft picks at the position. All those names you mentioned were UDFAs or late day 3 guys.

AND if you're gonna invest a meaningful pick, then let them play and development. If not it's just wasted pick after wasted pick at a position that's clearly not a hard position to replace given the success they've had with UDFAs and the FA market consistently being full of good talent that's cheap.

When a rookie RB is making the most GTD cash in the NFL because of the rookie pay scale, that shows you how little the position matters overall.

my god this Black kid is gonna be 25 during the season lol. That's insane, no way he gets a second deal here, more than likely doesn't play meaningful football and they waste another pick on RB in 2027

Originally posted by Heroism:
It's stupid how much draft capital they waste. They straight up burn picks and never learn from it.

2026 draft is no different. I predict that there will be plenty of burned picks in this class.

I think Carver Willis will be the starting LG at some point this yr, I was a fan of that pick. Underrated throughout the draft.

the two DL will get meaningful snaps. I have no clue with Stribling. I wasn't a massive fan during the draft process.

Originally posted by NYniner85:

Originally posted by Chance:
Reading the tea leaves, Guerrendo didn't develop as they hoped last year. He and James are big question marks, and as 4th and 5th round selections, are far from guaranteed to be long term fixes at the position. Combined with CMCs age and usage, the pick makes sense. I mean, you could certainly argue it's not as big of a need as other areas, but it's still an area where depth and forward thinking are needed to keep the position properly stocked with talent.

Issac imo had a successful rookie yr then just didn't even play in 2026….they gave up 2 5ths to get him. It wasn't just a 4th.

James was hurt all yr and never got any opportunities when he was finally healthy. Any other position I would agree that they aren't guaranteed snaps or anything, but I disagree at RB.

Also this is a constant for years not just the last couple drafts. We can go back to yr one with this regime and almost every drafted RB has been a failure or not even given a chance to develop into something more.

this was a historically horrible RB draft class. So of course SF feels the need to overdraft one in the top 100. They do s**t like this all the damn time and it almost never works.

I disagree with the forward thinking as well. You got two RBs on rookie deals that you apparently loved just wasting away. So the idea is to just draft another one and essentially move off a guy who's dirt cheap and you just liked enough to draft?

at some point results matter and either their scouting department sucks or the position coaches pounding the table for these guys suck at evaluating…their philosophy needs to be updated asap.

Guerrendo has to get better. I'm pretty sure Black is the main backup this year. James might be decent, but he's got to stay healthy.