The San Francisco 49ers once again showed they're comfortable going against outside consensus in the NFL Draft. This year, the team drew criticism for "reaching" on multiple selections, targeting players earlier than their projected value.

General manager John Lynch made it clear that external opinions carry little weight.


"We've got consensus in this building, and that's the consensus that I care about," Lynch said.

So how is the 49ers' 2026 draft class viewed around the league? The Athletic's Mike Sando polled several NFL executives, and their feedback offers insight into San Francisco's approach.

After trading down twice, the 49ers made their first selection at No. 33 overall, taking wide receiver De'Zhaun Stribling. While some evaluators viewed the pick as a reach, his fit within head coach Kyle Shanahan's offense is undeniable.

San Francisco added veteran receivers Mike Evans and Christian Kirk in free agency, but neither is a long-term certainty—Evans turns 33 in August, while Kirk signed a one-year deal. The organization appears to be positioning Stribling alongside former first-round pick Ricky Pearsall as part of its future core.

One NFL executive acknowledged areas for improvement in Stribling's game, grading him as a high third-round talent, but also highlighted traits that likely appealed to the 49ers.


"Stribling is not a dynamic route runner and does not run a full route tree, but he is bigger, faster, will block, and is a competitive guy," the executive told Sando. "He is not as good as Aiyuk was. He is a better receiver than Deebo. He is a faster, better (Jauan) Jennings and a great guy. Those guys (Stribling and Evans) will block and do it all the right way, how the head coach wants it."

Shanahan later confirmed that Stribling's blocking ability was a major selling point and that, internally, he was considered the best blocking wide receiver in the draft.

"When you watch a guy with that size, and how physically he runs with the ball, you assume he's a good blocker," Shanahan said. "And then to hear the people who are further along than I was (in the evaluation process) say he's the best blocker in the draft—he has elite blocking skills. And then to confirm it after that, it was real cool to watch."

Another pick that drew scrutiny was running back Kaelon Black, selected in the third round (No. 90 overall). While some viewed the selection as a significant reach, one executive praised the 49ers' conviction in acquiring the talent they wanted.

"All the talk about consensus boards is interesting," the executive said. "I don't have a great answer, but I respect teams like San Fran that say, 'F— you guys, we aren't looking at that stuff.'"

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