2026 Draft Grade

Originally posted by dlance:
Romello Height and Gracen Halton are the only draft pick that will see the fields. The only way De'Zhaun Stribling plays is if there is an injury and they are still not happy with Jordan Watkins. They didn't play Jordan Watkins last year, are they going to change and play a rookie WR this year. If CMC is healthy are they going to play Kaelon Black ? Are they going to play Jordan James? Are they going to cut Jordan James ? What about Isaac Guerendo ? They traded up to draft Guerendo .

Depends on what Kyle draws up. Watkins had his problems, one of which blocking and being consistent. As I keep saying DS maybe a better Debo on Jet sweeps and a better JJ-all because of his speed. He brings a different game than Evans and Ricky.

There was a video on Jerry Rice and what people who played against him said why he was dangerous and feared. Every play was the same, you never knew when he would get the ball. Never took off plays. You took off on one play and you would pay.

Carver Willis has a good chance-he is not going to be a tackle as the draft board has stated- he is moving to Guard which is open.

Have to wait and see what camp and preseason brings in as far as players playing. Will they come out like a Warner, Kittle, Puka or will they fall off the wayside like Dante Pettis who was a head case.

Also, don't count out UDFA Mikail Kamara.

Originally posted by Furlow:

The 49ers 2023 class is the lowest graded of the 224 classes in our database.

Didn't even remotely give themselves a chance.

When people say that drafting near the consensus doesn't actually matter, just show them this class. https://t.co/a8zPKeYkWN pic.twitter.com/VNaHZVpuo4

— Gridiron Grading (@GridironGrading) April 26, 2026

That is the worst draft class I have ever seen. Just brutal

This is my grade:

weak draft, so they took some swing-for-the-fences type guys (except Black who was an oddly safe, low ceiling, reach)

we'll see if they can be developed

but still I wish they:

1. traded back again from 33 - there were reportedly 4 teams looking to move up - we could've moved back in the 2nd, picked up another late round pick, and still got Stribling
2. took Jermod McCoy, who was top 10 talent, at 90 instead of a RB who was projected 6-UDFA
3. drafted a safety at some point - in hindsight, trading up from 27 to get Thienemen would've been ideal

Halton was my favorite pick and I love our interior DL now (have to remember that Osa Odighizuwa counts as one of 3rds)

also a fan of our UDFA class

I give it a B- given the circumstances

Originally posted by WildBill:

Originally posted by 9moon:
on paper, I give this a D grade... J-Dig is the only player who I feel that is keeping this draft an F...

but really, grades should not be handed out after year 3..

Why not? That is the only TRUE assessment. Why they have things like redraft. Shows how wrong they were.

yeah, then it's a solid D for me...

we failed to draft a Kick and a Punt Returner specially... We haven't had a TRUE punt returner since Teddy Ginn Jr. .. I can't believe this was NOT a priority..

Why does it feel like every year any of these previous "potential" skill position players just get outright ignored going into the draft?

It's basically like they draft assuming jordan james is gone, Jacob cowing gone, gurrendo gone...

Why they always wasting rounds 1-3 on skill position potential instead of just drafting linemen like they should...

Purdys going to be running for his life again.

It's like we're the Caroll Seahawks but they don't even practice unscheduled breakdown plays so wrs don't even know what to do when a play break down.

At least Seattle figured out to get wilson wrs who will out muscle DBS when the QBs running for his life. We don't even draft those type of wrs...

Originally posted by BoldRedandGold:
Why does it feel like every year any of these previous "potential" skill position players just get outright ignored going into the draft?

It's basically like they draft assuming jordan james is gone, Jacob cowing gone, gurrendo gone...

Why they always wasting rounds 1-3 on skill position potential instead of just drafting linemen like they should...

Purdys going to be running for his life again.

It's like we're the Caroll Seahawks but they don't even practice unscheduled breakdown plays so wrs don't even know what to do when a play break down.

At least Seattle figured out to get wilson wrs who will out muscle DBS when the QBs running for his life. We don't even draft those type of wrs...

What does any of this mean?? Comeon dude. Do better

Originally posted by DoseOfBosa:
weak draft, so they took some swing-for-the-fences type guys (except Black who was an oddly safe, low ceiling, reach)

we'll see if they can be developed

but still I wish they:

1. traded back again from 33 - there were reportedly 4 teams looking to move up - we could've moved back in the 2nd, picked up another late round pick, and still got Stribling
2. took Jermod McCoy, who was top 10 talent, at 90 instead of a RB who was projected 6-UDFA
3. drafted a safety at some point - in hindsight, trading up from 27 to get Thienemen would've been ideal

Halton was my favorite pick and I love our interior DL now (have to remember that Osa Odighizuwa counts as one of 3rds)

also a fan of our UDFA class

I give it a B- given the circumstances

This haul blows our last 4 or 5 drafts out of the water IMO

2.33- De'Zhaun Stribling, WR- Ole Miss
3.70- Romello Height, DE- Texas Tech
3.90- Kaelon Black, RB- Indiana
3.92 to Dallas for DT- Osa Odiahizuwa
4.107- Gracen Halton, DT- Oklahoma
4.127- Carver Willis, OG/OC- Washington
4.139- Ephesians Prysock, CB- Washington
5.154- Jaden Dugger, LB- Louisiana
5.179- Enrique Cruz, OT- Kansas

UDFA:

DT James Thompson, Illinois
WR Will Pauling, Notre Dame
TE Khalil Dinkins, Penn State
DE Mikail Kamara, Indiana
P Jack Bouwmeester, Texas
WR Wesley Grimes, North Carolina State
S Jalen Stroman, Notre Dame
DL Bryson Eason, Tennessee

Originally posted by 9moon:
yeah, then it's a solid D for me...

we failed to draft a Kick and a Punt Returner specially... We haven't had a TRUE punt returner since Teddy Ginn Jr. .. I can't believe this was NOT a priority..

Junior Bergen says hello.

When you factor our UDFA class, we essentially covered all our needs.

1) Edge – doubled up with Height and Kamara

2) DT – Got a pass rusher/attacker in Gracen and a true nose in Eason

3) WR – 1 Big bodied and 1 speed slot (Pauling)

4) LB – hybrid 34/43 MIKE/SAM/WOLB

5) OL – Competition at IOL and OT

6) P – Comp for new punter

7) TE – High caliber blocking tight end (Dinkins was tabbed a plus blocker and graded at 73% in that area), hopefully can push Farrell off the roster and save us money.

8) S – At least added something for competition.

9) CB – Added more outside corner depth beyond Hobbs

10) RB – added a speed back can actually block

Not sure what everyone thinks of Guy Haberman, but he is becoming one of my favorites. Level-headed:

Originally posted by Sask49erFan:

Originally posted by Furlow:

The 49ers 2023 class is the lowest graded of the 224 classes in our database.

Didn't even remotely give themselves a chance.

When people say that drafting near the consensus doesn't actually matter, just show them this class. https://t.co/a8zPKeYkWN pic.twitter.com/VNaHZVpuo4

— Gridiron Grading (@GridironGrading) April 26, 2026

That is the worst draft class I have ever seen. Just brutal

One Pro Bowler from 87 down (SF's first pick was 87 - Nacua is the only pick after worth a damn) tells you all you need to know about that draft. If you didn't get a guy in the top 85 you had no chance that draft.

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.

It's hilarious watching people lose their minds over draft grades. These "grades" are based on "value" relative to pre-draft rankings, which become meaningless after the top 20 picks anyway. The 49ers clearly draft the guys they deem worth the gamble, regardless of what the "experts" think.

If these picks work out, critics will still moan about "poor value." If they don't, those same people will act like geniuses—even though most late-round picks fail regardless of their perceived value. Ultimately, if these guys hit and the team keeps winning, Lynch is safe. If not, he's gone. That's just the life of an NFL GM.

Originally posted by MTninerfan:

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.

It's hilarious watching people lose their minds over draft grades. These "grades" are based on "value" relative to pre-draft rankings, which become meaningless after the top 20 picks anyway. The 49ers clearly draft the guys they deem worth the gamble, regardless of what the "experts" think.

If these picks work out, critics will still moan about "poor value." If they don't, those same people will act like geniuses—even though most late-round picks fail regardless of their perceived value. Ultimately, if these guys hit and the team keeps winning, Lynch is safe. If not, he's gone. That's just the life of an NFL GM.

The problem with your argument is that none of the reaches by Kyle/Lynch have worked out. So there is simply no historical defense for their method.

Originally posted by OnTheClock:
When you factor our UDFA class, we essentially covered all our needs.

1) Edge – doubled up with Height and Kamara

2) DT – Got a pass rusher/attacker in Gracen and a true nose in Eason

3) WR – 1 Big bodied and 1 speed slot (Pauling)

4) LB – hybrid 34/43 MIKE/SAM/WOLB

5) OL – Competition at IOL and OT

6) P – Comp for new punter

7) TE – High caliber blocking tight end (Dinkins was tabbed a plus blocker and graded at 73% in that area), hopefully can push Farrell off the roster and save us money.

8) S – At least added something for competition.

9) CB – Added more outside corner depth beyond Hobbs

10) RB – added a speed back can actually block

They still don't have anyone that can start at safety. I guess we will be throwing out last year's tactic again hoping the WRs drop the ball when they are open