2026 Draft Grade

Originally posted by billbird2111:
I shared this grade. But only because I wanted a high pick at OT. I didn't get it. True, Kyle did pick two of them. Which I believe may be a record. I just didn't see the team treating it as a position badly in need of an upgrade. As a former OT myself, I thought the investment was needed. But, when it comes right down to it, I am often wrong.

The 49ers have done a fairly good job at developing players drafted in later rounds into pretty good offensive linemen. A team just doesn't reach the playoffs year after year after year without this kind of development. This team is routinely in the playoff hunt. So, the "development" approach is working. It just isn't flashy.

You were an OT? That's very cool

Originally posted by Kolohe:
It's always the case and I'm guilty of it too sometimes. But then again I get over excited about some of the picks and then end up s**tting the bed like Drake Jackson and Jiayir Brown. Two players that I really wanted in the draft. But we'll see what happens next season, the real enemy that everyone keeps forgetting is injuries. If the team can be at least 80% free of injuries, I don't doubt Shanahan and Morris can at least get back to the NFCC.

Injuries have killed us, losing Bosa and Warner was devastating. Having them back will be helpful for sure-if they stay healthy.

Hope Brock doesn't get killed out there...kinda need that guy lol. Last season did give our rooks some good experience and they did pretty well overall. That's also another positive.

I don't like the idea of leaning so much on Trent when he is aging and who knows how many games the guy will miss in the season. Not feeling confident with this o-line..especially, after Seattle diced us like an onion:/. And made it look easy.

We will see what happens

Now that the emotion has passed a "B"

They drafted guys with a particular set of skills that fit their schemes.

Originally posted by frankieuc68:

Originally posted by frankieuc68:
I gave it a solid C. They addressed all needs but reaching lowered it big time. At least no kicker/punter that would have lowered the grade a bit more.

My thoughts on previous drafts:
Last year's class I gave it a C+ after the draft. We got some good players but I wasn't very high on Mykel and Alfred Collins. I also have other players in mind like most of you. With Stout, I was the same way like "who?" as there are more known players. The 2 big fellas along with CJ West contributed and played well enough. Stout was thrown in the fire and held up fine. Nick Martin played but got hurt and Jordan James showed a bit promise. After letting it play out the season, I gave the class a B grade. If that class continue to improve, let's say 1 becomes a Pro bowler or couple players get a 2nd contract, definitely will be in the A- grade for me. Here are my other thoughts on previous class:

2019 Nick Bosa/Samuel/ Greenlaw- started as an A+ and I still give it A+ because Nick is one of the best at his position. Deebo was Deebo. Greenlaw was a monster and Wishnowsky was a starter.

2017 Solomon Thomas/Foster draft- started as A-. I thought those 2 were going to be a monster and long contributors for this team. We know what we got from those 2. Akhello sucks, Joe Williams sucks, Beathard was a good backup. Now, I gave it a C+ and it could have been an F if not for that future hall of Famer TE named Kittle and the monster DJ Jones, tiny receiver Trent Taylor to save that class.

So let's see how this class plays out. I like most of the picks along with the undrafted FA haul. We will have a feel once they get in uniform and see how they translate to our system.

Here's another class:
2021 Trey Lance- I initially gave it an A-.Future franchise QB while trading future 1st. You add Banks, Sermon,Hufanga, Eli Mitchell, Ambry Thomas, Jalen Moore. Lance, Sermon were busts. Huf, Mitchell were nice picks and Ambry and Jalen contributed. If Lance turned out to be just a decent starter,if Sermon contributed this class could have easily kept that A-. I gave it an D- as we know what happened. Only Huf and Eli and Banks were the main contributors and the future 1st round draft picks hamstrung us the following years.

Originally posted by MTninerfan:

Originally posted by captveg:

Originally posted by SlipAndSlideBosa:
Shouldn't of used AI.

AI would've drafted the league consensus regardless of scheme fit and got an A grade from everyone.

I asked AI(gemini), "If I told you to come up with a system to pick the best nfl draftees that fit what the San Francisco 49ers coaching staff likes to do, give me the explanation as to why you chose the guys they drafted this year", here is what it came up with:

The San Francisco 49ers' 2026 draft class—headlined by WR De'Zhaun Stribling and RB Kaelon Black—is a textbook example of the "Shanahan-Lynch System." This system isn't just about raw talent; it's a rigorous filter for positionless versatility, high-end motor, and specific physical archetypes that fit their scheme.

Here is the system I'd use to evaluate these picks and the explanation for why these specific players were the "right" choices for San Francisco.

1. The "YAC-First" Wide Receiver Filter,
The System Rule: If a receiver can't block and can't create 5+ yards after the catch (YAC), they don't play for Kyle Shanahan.

• The Pick: De'Zhaun Stribling (WR, Ole Miss)
• Why he fits: At roughly 6'2", Stribling fits the physical profile of a "big slot" or "X" receiver who can handle the physical demands of the 49ers' run-heavy schemes. Shanahan loves receivers who play like "angry runners" once the ball is in their hands (think Deebo Samuel or Jauan Jennings). Stribling was drafted because he has the frame to crack-block safeties and the play-strength to break the first tackle on a slant route.

2. The "Bobby Turner" RB Protocol,
The System Rule: Do not overspend on RBs. Look for "One-Cut" runners with elite vision who can find the "cutback lane" in the Outside Zone scheme.

• The Pick: Kaelon Black (RB, Indiana)
• Why he fits: Running back coach Bobby Turner has a legendary track record of turning mid-to-late-round backs into 1,000-yard rushers. Black fits the mold of a "slasher"—a runner who doesn't dance in the backfield. He sees the hole, plants his foot, and gets vertical. With Christian McCaffrey leading the way, the 49ers needed a younger, cheaper insurance policy with the speed to threaten the edge on a toss play.

3. The "Wide-9" Defensive Line Mold
The System Rule: Defensive Line Coach Kris Kocurek wants "get-off" speed over everything. If a D-Liner can't explode off the ball in the first 1.5 yards, he isn't a 49er

• The Picks: Romello Height (EDGE) and Gracen Halton (DL)
• Why they fit: The 49ers operate a "Wide-9" front where the ends line up way outside the tackles. This requires extreme burst. Height and Halton are typical "Kocurek projects"—high-motor players who might have lacked elite college stats but possess the "explosive 10-yard split" that the 49ers' front office values. They are drafted to be rotational "wave" rushers who keep Nick Bosa fresh.

4. The "Length and Versatility" Secondary Check
The System Rule: With Raheem Morris influencing the defense, the team now prioritizes length and "do-it-all" versatility over pure lockdown speed.

• The Pick: Ephesians Prysock (CB)
• Why he fits: Prysock is a massive corner (6'4") who fits the trend of the 49ers moving toward longer, more physical defensive backs. The system here is to find players who can play "Match-Quarters" or "Cover 3" while having the size to tackle physical RBs in the flat. He follows the Deommodore Lenoir developmental path: high-upside length that can be coached into a starter by Year 2.

5. The "Agility-Over-Power" O-Line Standard
The System Rule: Offensive linemen must be able to move laterally. If a guard is too "heavy-footed," they can't reach the edge on a zone stretch.

• The Pick: Carver Willis (OL)
• Why he fits: Willis is the prototypical "Shanahan Lineman"—athletic and lean enough to get out in space and lead-block for a screen or a sweep. While the team needs to find an eventual successor to Trent Williams, Willis provides the interior depth required to keep the run game efficient.

Summary Checklist: Why this class?The 49ers didn't just pick "the best players available." They picked the players who survived these specific filter

• Violence: Do they hit people? (Stribling/Prysock)
• Suddenness: Do they have a fast 10-yard split? (Height/Black)
• Intellect: Can they handle the most complex offensive playbook in the NFL? (Black/Willis)

Very interesting. It seems a pretty reasonable analysis. What does it mean? That our rigorous player selection requirements to fit shanny's system are inflexible and forcing us to throw a lot of quality draft talent in the garbage.

Hence no one understands what we're doing.

Maybe if we loosened up a bit we could get the best of all possible worlds.

I feel this only explains our quirky player selection and not our positional randomness.

This is how I rate this draft. Overall, the class earns a B-. As mention that may increase or decrease as we see over the next 2 years what they contribute. While the value on Day 2 was disappointing in terms of I believe they reached to high for who they got, the Day 3 haul looks like a classic 49ers masterclass in finding not best player availbable, which Shanahan and Lynch avoid, but system-fit contributors.

Day 1-2: The 49ers traded down twice in the first round to stockpile mid-round picks, eventually making their first selection at the top of the second.

Overall Round 2: C (2.13)

• WR De'Zhaun Stribling (Ole Miss) – Round 2, No. 33 Grade: C-
  
• The Logic: At 6'3" with 4.36 speed, he's a physical freak. Shanahan specifically highlighted his run-blocking as a key factor—he is clearly the intended successor to Jauan Jennings' "Third-and-Jauan" role.
• The Critique: Most analysts had him as a late 3rd-rounder. Taking him at 33 over more polished playmakers felt like a reach for a specific niche.
  
• DL Romello Height (Texas Tech) – Round 3, No. 70 Grade: B
  
• The Logic: A pure speed rusher with great bend. With Bryce Huff retiring and the defensive line needing youth, Height provides immediate rotational juice

• RB Kaelon Black (Indiana) – Round 3, No. 90 Grade: D+
  
• The Logic: An aggressive, "fall-forward" runner who fits the zone scheme perfectly.
• The Critique: This was the biggest head-scratcher as Matt Maiocco stated. Similar to the Trey Sermon/Tyrion Davis-Price picks of the past, the Niners took a projected late-day-three back way too early. I believe it also signals what they think about the two on the current roster they drafted the last two years and their inability to pick good RB's via the draft.
  
  

Round 3 and beyond: As usual, the 49ers seemed more comfortable in the later rounds, snagging high-upside players that fit their culture. That is probably a key. The 49ers want to make sure they have good plays who fit the culture they have. Chemistry is important to the organization is the message I see here.

Overall Grade Day 3: B (3.3)

• DT Gracen Halton (Oklahoma) – Round 4, No. 107 Grade: A-
  
• The Logic: The steal of their draft. Halton is an NFL-ready run stuffer who can also pressure from the interior. He addresses the 49ers' biggest 2025 weakness: run defense. He's probably the one I am the most exicted about seeing what he becomes.
  
• CB Ephesians Prysock (Washington) – Round 4, No. 139 Grade: B+
  
• The Logic: A massive corner with length that the Niners usually don't target, but his tape shows he can thrive in their secondary. He has the upside to be a starter by Year 2 IF things go right with him.
  
• OL Carver Willis (Washington) – Round 4, No. 127 Grade: C+
  
• The Logic: A developmental tackle who likely moves inside to guard. He's a "zone-scheme" mover, though he'll need a year in the weight room before seeing the field.
  
• LB Jaden Dugger (Louisiana) – Round 5, No. 154 Grade: B-
  
• The Logic: A safety-to-linebacker convert. He's the prototypical special teams ace/coverage linebacker that the 49ers excel at developing (think Dre Greenlaw?).
  

Final Verdict: The 49ers passed on Best Player Available multiple times to grab Best System Fit. If Stribling becomes a dominant blocker and secondary threat, and Halton anchors the run game, this draft may come to look like a win. However, by ignoring higher-rated prospects at 33 and 90, Lynch and Shanahan have once again put their scouting process on the line and they will face legitmate questions on their draft abilities, especially in the higher rounds.

Overall Score: 2.7 = B-

Originally posted by brodiebluebanaszak:

Originally posted by MTninerfan:

Originally posted by captveg:

Originally posted by SlipAndSlideBosa:
Shouldn't of used AI.

AI would've drafted the league consensus regardless of scheme fit and got an A grade from everyone.

I asked AI(gemini), "If I told you to come up with a system to pick the best nfl draftees that fit what the San Francisco 49ers coaching staff likes to do, give me the explanation as to why you chose the guys they drafted this year", here is what it came up with:

The San Francisco 49ers' 2026 draft class—headlined by WR De'Zhaun Stribling and RB Kaelon Black—is a textbook example of the "Shanahan-Lynch System." This system isn't just about raw talent; it's a rigorous filter for positionless versatility, high-end motor, and specific physical archetypes that fit their scheme.

Here is the system I'd use to evaluate these picks and the explanation for why these specific players were the "right" choices for San Francisco.

1. The "YAC-First" Wide Receiver Filter,
The System Rule: If a receiver can't block and can't create 5+ yards after the catch (YAC), they don't play for Kyle Shanahan.

• The Pick: De'Zhaun Stribling (WR, Ole Miss)
• Why he fits: At roughly 6'2", Stribling fits the physical profile of a "big slot" or "X" receiver who can handle the physical demands of the 49ers' run-heavy schemes. Shanahan loves receivers who play like "angry runners" once the ball is in their hands (think Deebo Samuel or Jauan Jennings). Stribling was drafted because he has the frame to crack-block safeties and the play-strength to break the first tackle on a slant route.

2. The "Bobby Turner" RB Protocol,
The System Rule: Do not overspend on RBs. Look for "One-Cut" runners with elite vision who can find the "cutback lane" in the Outside Zone scheme.

• The Pick: Kaelon Black (RB, Indiana)
• Why he fits: Running back coach Bobby Turner has a legendary track record of turning mid-to-late-round backs into 1,000-yard rushers. Black fits the mold of a "slasher"—a runner who doesn't dance in the backfield. He sees the hole, plants his foot, and gets vertical. With Christian McCaffrey leading the way, the 49ers needed a younger, cheaper insurance policy with the speed to threaten the edge on a toss play.

3. The "Wide-9" Defensive Line Mold
The System Rule: Defensive Line Coach Kris Kocurek wants "get-off" speed over everything. If a D-Liner can't explode off the ball in the first 1.5 yards, he isn't a 49er

• The Picks: Romello Height (EDGE) and Gracen Halton (DL)
• Why they fit: The 49ers operate a "Wide-9" front where the ends line up way outside the tackles. This requires extreme burst. Height and Halton are typical "Kocurek projects"—high-motor players who might have lacked elite college stats but possess the "explosive 10-yard split" that the 49ers' front office values. They are drafted to be rotational "wave" rushers who keep Nick Bosa fresh.

4. The "Length and Versatility" Secondary Check
The System Rule: With Raheem Morris influencing the defense, the team now prioritizes length and "do-it-all" versatility over pure lockdown speed.

• The Pick: Ephesians Prysock (CB)
• Why he fits: Prysock is a massive corner (6'4") who fits the trend of the 49ers moving toward longer, more physical defensive backs. The system here is to find players who can play "Match-Quarters" or "Cover 3" while having the size to tackle physical RBs in the flat. He follows the Deommodore Lenoir developmental path: high-upside length that can be coached into a starter by Year 2.

5. The "Agility-Over-Power" O-Line Standard
The System Rule: Offensive linemen must be able to move laterally. If a guard is too "heavy-footed," they can't reach the edge on a zone stretch.

• The Pick: Carver Willis (OL)
• Why he fits: Willis is the prototypical "Shanahan Lineman"—athletic and lean enough to get out in space and lead-block for a screen or a sweep. While the team needs to find an eventual successor to Trent Williams, Willis provides the interior depth required to keep the run game efficient.

Summary Checklist: Why this class?The 49ers didn't just pick "the best players available." They picked the players who survived these specific filter

• Violence: Do they hit people? (Stribling/Prysock)
• Suddenness: Do they have a fast 10-yard split? (Height/Black)
• Intellect: Can they handle the most complex offensive playbook in the NFL? (Black/Willis)

Very interesting. It seems a pretty reasonable analysis. What does it mean? That our rigorous player selection requirements to fit shanny's system are inflexible and forcing us to throw a lot of quality draft talent in the garbage.

Hence no one understands what we're doing.

Maybe if we loosened up a bit we could get the best of all possible worlds.

I feel this only explains our quirky player selection and not our positional randomness.

The only thing that matter is can they play....

You start taking guys like Greenlaw, Huff, Purdy, Kittle in the 3rd...and sure a bunch of talking heads might have an issue....but it is not a real issue. It is just a bunch of people that think they know something acting like they know something.

I think its totally fair game to bag on any and all NFL teams when it comes to drafts...the whole thing is mostly a crap shoot...but at the end of the day draft picks only exist to gamble on players.

It is cool to call them out for gambling on the wrong players, but lets not loose sight of the vast majority of these dudes will not see year 4 in the NFL. Your guys, their guys...some other teams guys...they all fail.

So when we are talking about draft talent in the garbage...dude...a good chunk of these dudes are going to prove to not be NFL gold anyway.

Originally posted by AJinUT:
This is how I rate this draft.

Overall Score: 2.7 = B-

What's your grade on Enrique Cruz Jr. ?

Get back to me three year, otherwise this assessment on name recognition and VALUE is asinine.

How you gonna grade a draft class before any of them even get on the practice field?

I don't think any of these players get extensive playing time.
if two to three of these players make a splash then Lynch saves his job if not I think he gets replaced after this year.

Straight up D

Originally posted by Dshearn:

Originally posted by brodiebluebanaszak:

Originally posted by MTninerfan:

Originally posted by captveg:

Originally posted by SlipAndSlideBosa:
Shouldn't of used AI.

AI would've drafted the league consensus regardless of scheme fit and got an A grade from everyone.

I asked AI(gemini), "If I told you to come up with a system to pick the best nfl draftees that fit what the San Francisco 49ers coaching staff likes to do, give me the explanation as to why you chose the guys they drafted this year", here is what it came up with:

The San Francisco 49ers' 2026 draft class—headlined by WR De'Zhaun Stribling and RB Kaelon Black—is a textbook example of the "Shanahan-Lynch System." This system isn't just about raw talent; it's a rigorous filter for positionless versatility, high-end motor, and specific physical archetypes that fit their scheme.

Here is the system I'd use to evaluate these picks and the explanation for why these specific players were the "right" choices for San Francisco.

1. The "YAC-First" Wide Receiver Filter,
The System Rule: If a receiver can't block and can't create 5+ yards after the catch (YAC), they don't play for Kyle Shanahan.

• The Pick: De'Zhaun Stribling (WR, Ole Miss)
• Why he fits: At roughly 6'2", Stribling fits the physical profile of a "big slot" or "X" receiver who can handle the physical demands of the 49ers' run-heavy schemes. Shanahan loves receivers who play like "angry runners" once the ball is in their hands (think Deebo Samuel or Jauan Jennings). Stribling was drafted because he has the frame to crack-block safeties and the play-strength to break the first tackle on a slant route.

2. The "Bobby Turner" RB Protocol,
The System Rule: Do not overspend on RBs. Look for "One-Cut" runners with elite vision who can find the "cutback lane" in the Outside Zone scheme.

• The Pick: Kaelon Black (RB, Indiana)
• Why he fits: Running back coach Bobby Turner has a legendary track record of turning mid-to-late-round backs into 1,000-yard rushers. Black fits the mold of a "slasher"—a runner who doesn't dance in the backfield. He sees the hole, plants his foot, and gets vertical. With Christian McCaffrey leading the way, the 49ers needed a younger, cheaper insurance policy with the speed to threaten the edge on a toss play.

3. The "Wide-9" Defensive Line Mold
The System Rule: Defensive Line Coach Kris Kocurek wants "get-off" speed over everything. If a D-Liner can't explode off the ball in the first 1.5 yards, he isn't a 49er

• The Picks: Romello Height (EDGE) and Gracen Halton (DL)
• Why they fit: The 49ers operate a "Wide-9" front where the ends line up way outside the tackles. This requires extreme burst. Height and Halton are typical "Kocurek projects"—high-motor players who might have lacked elite college stats but possess the "explosive 10-yard split" that the 49ers' front office values. They are drafted to be rotational "wave" rushers who keep Nick Bosa fresh.

4. The "Length and Versatility" Secondary Check
The System Rule: With Raheem Morris influencing the defense, the team now prioritizes length and "do-it-all" versatility over pure lockdown speed.

• The Pick: Ephesians Prysock (CB)
• Why he fits: Prysock is a massive corner (6'4") who fits the trend of the 49ers moving toward longer, more physical defensive backs. The system here is to find players who can play "Match-Quarters" or "Cover 3" while having the size to tackle physical RBs in the flat. He follows the Deommodore Lenoir developmental path: high-upside length that can be coached into a starter by Year 2.

5. The "Agility-Over-Power" O-Line Standard
The System Rule: Offensive linemen must be able to move laterally. If a guard is too "heavy-footed," they can't reach the edge on a zone stretch.

• The Pick: Carver Willis (OL)
• Why he fits: Willis is the prototypical "Shanahan Lineman"—athletic and lean enough to get out in space and lead-block for a screen or a sweep. While the team needs to find an eventual successor to Trent Williams, Willis provides the interior depth required to keep the run game efficient.

Summary Checklist: Why this class?The 49ers didn't just pick "the best players available." They picked the players who survived these specific filter

• Violence: Do they hit people? (Stribling/Prysock)
• Suddenness: Do they have a fast 10-yard split? (Height/Black)
• Intellect: Can they handle the most complex offensive playbook in the NFL? (Black/Willis)

Very interesting. It seems a pretty reasonable analysis. What does it mean? That our rigorous player selection requirements to fit shanny's system are inflexible and forcing us to throw a lot of quality draft talent in the garbage.

Hence no one understands what we're doing.

Maybe if we loosened up a bit we could get the best of all possible worlds.

I feel this only explains our quirky player selection and not our positional randomness.

The only thing that matter is can they play....

You start taking guys like Greenlaw, Huff, Purdy, Kittle in the 3rd...and sure a bunch of talking heads might have an issue....but it is not a real issue. It is just a bunch of people that think they know something acting like they know something.

I think its totally fair game to bag on any and all NFL teams when it comes to drafts...the whole thing is mostly a crap shoot...but at the end of the day draft picks only exist to gamble on players.

It is cool to call them out for gambling on the wrong players, but lets not loose sight of the vast majority of these dudes will not see year 4 in the NFL. Your guys, their guys...some other teams guys...they all fail.

So when we are talking about draft talent in the garbage...dude...a good chunk of these dudes are going to prove to not be NFL gold anyway.

What you're saying is perfectly legit. We should do an AV analysis on the pics that we take and the various comps that we didn't take ...or on the players that were drafted near our guys. Maybe adjusted by position. It could get complicated but I think it would be interesting to see whether the guys we pick in our discipline turn out better or worse than what other teams are doing with their discipline.

Anyway I rejected this draft on the basis of positional neglect and not on the actual selections themselves. Hope they work out.

Even tho I like some of these guys especially after reading about them and watching clips, I only gave a C and was very tempted to give em a D-. I know some of these dudes could've got plucked in later rounds and maybe even one or two could have gone UDFA, but that's beside the point

Not snagging a cover safety and a true center who could play guard is inexcusable and deeply worrisome. DISGUSTING!!