2026 Draft Grade

Originally posted by ninersrule4:
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

Hoping they convert Prysock and he can be the guy at fs. Sigle at least tackles well so him and Mustapha going at it at SS might make them both better.

Secondary as a whole is still the most concerning group on the team

Originally posted by 9ers4eva:

Originally posted by ninersrule4:
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

Hoping they convert Prysock and he can be the guy at fs. Sigle at least tackles well so him and Mustapha going at it at SS might make them both better.

Secondary as a whole is still the most concerning group on the team

I would like to see someone not currently listed at safety play alongside Sigle. I'm so over Brown and Mustapha getting absolutely roasted in coverage. Also tired of watching Mustapaha miss tackles.

"I". Incomplete. Ask again after the season. And then ask again after three years.

Think the 1986 draft when 8 starters were selected. It took 2 years for them to all come around as starters and we went on to 2 super bowl victories and one Roger Craig fumble. Could the last 2 years draft class be coming around?

Originally posted by MTninerfan:
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.

I support Lynch and the front office a lot but this draft class was a disaster. He said he doesnt care about the consensus board only the consensus in the building or something along those lines but the evidence against that way of thinking is VERY strong. Somebody listed the top 20 "reaches" from this front office in the past 10 years and only 2 or 3 of those players actually amounted to anything. That # should be 6 or 8 at least. If your faith is that high on a player and you are going to draft him no matter where, you need to hit on some and they haven't. There is something wrong with that. If they hit on some of those reaches then we wouldn't be having this conversation.

Why wouldn't you use a consensus board to just look and see what other teams might be thinking of a player and where they may go?


__PRESENT__PRESENT__PRESENT

Originally posted by Furlow:

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.

Kittle, Warner, Demo, Greenlaw, Purdy? All later round guys who worked out. They haven't hit on early round guys(besides bosa), but they have drafted All-Pro's in later rounds, which has helped keep them a contender pretty much every year, which is why they still have jobs. Most NFL GM's can't say that.

Originally posted by MTninerfan:

Originally posted by Furlow:

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.

Kittle, Warner, Demo, Greenlaw, Purdy? All later round guys who worked out. They haven't hit on early round guys(besides bosa), but they have drafted All-Pro's in later rounds, which has helped keep them a contender pretty much every year, which is why they still have jobs. Most NFL GM's can't say that.

I wonder why they are better at picking later in the draft. Is it because they are listening more to their scouts and picking the BPA??

Originally posted by Wrathman:

Originally posted by MTninerfan:

Originally posted by Furlow:

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.

Kittle, Warner, Demo, Greenlaw, Purdy? All later round guys who worked out. They haven't hit on early round guys(besides bosa), but they have drafted All-Pro's in later rounds, which has helped keep them a contender pretty much every year, which is why they still have jobs. Most NFL GM's can't say that.

I wonder why they are better at picking later in the draft. Is it because they are listening more to their scouts and picking the BPA??

They seem to draft traits in later rounds. Then they happen to have good coaching which means some develop into players.

The same clowns that earn a living making worthless draft predictions are now making worthless draft evaluations.

Originally posted by _Goldblooded_:
They seem to draft traits in later rounds. Then they happen to have good coaching which means some develop into players.

Yeah I think the frustration stems from the team drafting for specific athletic traits that also fit in their system rather than the best player available, especially early on. Since mock drafts usually have a consensus top 50, it looks like a reach whenever the Niners pick a "system guy" instead. I'll admit, they haven't hit on many early picks recently and probably need to rethink that approach. But at the end of the day, if they're still landing Pro Bowlers in the late rounds and winning games, it's tough to be too upset(though many people still are).

Originally posted by ninersrule4:

Originally posted by 9ers4eva:

Originally posted by ninersrule4:
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

Hoping they convert Prysock and he can be the guy at fs. Sigle at least tackles well so him and Mustapha going at it at SS might make them both better.

Secondary as a whole is still the most concerning group on the team

I would like to see someone not currently listed at safety play alongside Sigle. I'm so over Brown and Mustapha getting absolutely roasted in coverage. Also tired of watching Mustapaha miss tackles.

I think Brown is a good back up .. or even a player under Dime.. yeah, we needed another S up in here..

Originally posted by Wrathman:

Originally posted by MTninerfan:

Originally posted by Furlow:

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.

Kittle, Warner, Demo, Greenlaw, Purdy? All later round guys who worked out. They haven't hit on early round guys(besides bosa), but they have drafted All-Pro's in later rounds, which has helped keep them a contender pretty much every year, which is why they still have jobs. Most NFL GM's can't say that.

I wonder why they are better at picking later in the draft. Is it because they are listening more to their scouts and picking the BPA??

It may be because the differences between players in the later rounds isn't as great. If they whiff in round 5 or 6 nobody cares much If they find a gem then it becomes a big deal. Perception is everything. Personally I don't worry as much about the round a player sis selected in. If he can play I'm fine with it. If not then he just becomes another draft pick that doesn't pan out. We see 1st and 2nd round busts every year from all around the league. Many of them are from teams drafting much higher than the 49ers.

Originally posted by CatchMaster80:
The same clowns that earn a living making worthless draft predictions are now making worthless draft evaluations.

Always got the "well he only failed because of the scheme fit or coaching" when the player or players dont pan out. That way you are never wrong in your evaluations.

with 110 votes, 45% of respondents have voted D+ or lower.

another 16% at C-.

Originally posted by OKC49erFan:
Not sure what everyone thinks of Guy Haberman, but he is becoming one of my favorites. Level-headed:

Thanks for the find. Good comments. Not a whole lot to disagree with, IMO.