Did the 49ers make the grade with their 2019 NFL draft picks? Here’s how we see it
Here are our grades of the San Francisco 49ers’ eight picks in the 2019 NFL draft:
Round 1 (No. 2 overall): Nick Bosa, DE, Ohio State
The 49ers had similar grades on Bosa (6-foot-4, 266 pounds) and Alabama defensive tackle Quinnen Williams, but went with Bosa because of their glut at defensive tackle with DeForest Buckner, Arik Armstead and Solomon Thomas. Coach Kyle Shanahan and general manager John Lynch think improving the ability to pressure quarterbacks could have big ramifications for their defense that struggled to force turnovers and get off the field on third down. Adding Bosa and former Kansas Cty Chiefs Pro Bowl defensive lineman Dee Ford could give the 49ers two double-digit sack artists outside to complement Buckner. Bosa plays with good power and explosiveness. He entered the draft considered by many as the best overall prospect, but there are questions about durability after missing the final 11 games of 2018 because of a core injury. If healthy, Bosa has Pro Bowl potential.
Grade: A-
Round 2 (No. 36 overall): Deebo Samuel, WR, South Carolina
The 49ers had a clear need at receiver after deciding to part with veteran Pierre Garçon. Samuel looks like a younger, more explosive version who excels with after the catch, which is crucial in Shanahan’s offense that specializes in getting pass catchers in open in space. Shanahan believes Samuel plays larger than his 5-foot-11 frame and that he could help in the red zone. Samuel accounted for 30 touchdowns in his college career and offers value in the return game. Look for him to join 2018 second-round pick Dante Pettis as a key member of the receiving corps for the foreseeable future. The downside: Samuel dealt with recurring hamstring injuries with the Gamecocks.
Grade: B+
Round 3 (No. 67 overall): Jalen Hurd, WR, Baylor
This pick was hard to make sense of at first blush. But hearing Shanahan say Hurd was drafted to be a receiver, “kind of,” indicates the 49ers might have other long-term plans for the former Tennessee running back. Hurd (6-5, 226) slid under the radar ahead of the draft because a meniscus injury kept him from doing anything but the bench press at the combine. He’s a good athlete, particularly for his size. He played at roughly 240 pounds as a running back before transferring to Baylor. Like Samuel, he excels with the ball in his hands after the catch. Don’t be surprised to see Hurd used as a tight end or H-back, offering San Francisco a versatile weapon that could take some attention away from Pro Bowl tight end George Kittle. Think what Delanie Walker was to Vernon Davis – or Trey Burton, whom San Francisco was interested in as a free agent in 2018. If that’s the case, this could end up being a good pick. But it might take some time for him to develop into that role.
Grade: B
Round 4 (No. 110 overall): Mitch Wishnowsky, P, Utah
The 49ers needed a punter to replace Bradley Pinion and wound up with arguably the best one in the draft. Wishnowsky, 27, can handle kickoffs and averaged 45.7 yards per punt for Utah. The Australia native pinned 74 inside punts the 20-yard line. Wishnowsky could end up being one of the NFL’s better punters. But the team decided against addressing their lackluster secondary in Round 4, perhaps taking Wishnowsky earlier than necessary. There’s something to be said for sticking with your convictions and taking the guy you want, but it’s also important to maximize value in the draft. That’s the biggest knock on this pick.
Grade: C
Round 5 (No. 148 overall): Dre Greenlaw, LB, Arkansas
Greenlaw is most likely to play “Will” linebacker, the same position as pricey free-agent addition Kwon Alexander. He was a four-year starter and a freshman All-American for the Razorbacks, but there are questions about his athleticism. Greenlaw (5-11, 237) ran a 4.73 in the 40-yard dash at his pro day, which is below the standard for inside linebackers required to keep up with running backs and tight ends. However, he was a safety out of high school and has natural coverage skills. A bonus: he was named a team captain as a senior in 2018. Still, however, the 49ers neglected to add to the secondary and already have numbers at linebacker.
Grade: B-
Round 6 (No. 176 overall): Kaden Smith, TE, Stanford
The 49ers have to think about life without Garrett Celek, their incumbent blocking tight end entering the final year of his contract. Smith ran a 4.92 in the 40-yard dash, but he’s considered a talented pass catcher despite slow testing times. He logged 1,049 yards on 70 catches during his two seasons for the Cardinal – and caught 72 percent of his targets in 2018. Smith was a four-star recruit out of Flower Mound, Texas and became the sixth Stanford tight end taken in the past eight drafts. With development, Smith could become a valued member of the offense behind Kittle for the long haul.
Grade: B+
Round 6 (No. 183 overall): Justin Skule, T, Vanderbilt
The 49ers decided to let Garry Gilliam walk this offseason, leaving them without their backup “swing” tackle from the past two years. They traded a late-round pick to the Cleveland Browns for Shon Coleman during final cuts last August, who is likely to be Skule’s top competition. Skule finished his career with the Commodores starting 40 consecutive games. He moved from right tackle to the left side his senior season. The odds appear long for Skule to make the roster. He may be a practice squad candidate with a chance to develop into a future backup.
Grade: B
Round 6 (No. 198 overall): Tim Harris, CB, Virginia
Many observers believe the 49ers came into the draft needing to upgrade the secondary that struggled badly through portions of 2018. But the club’s brass decided to find receivers in Rounds 2 and 3 after taking Bosa in early on, deciding to address cornerback late in the draft with Harris, who will turn 24 just before the start of training camp. Harris (6-2, 197) has the height and length the team covets at the position. However, he wasn’t invited to the scouting combine and was given medical red shirt seasons in 2016 (torn labrum) and 2017 (wrist). He seems slated for a spot on the practice squad, where he could eventually compete for a roster spot. The grade of this pick isn’t a reflection of Harris, necessarily, rather the team’s unwillingness to add to the secondary until so late in the draft.
Grade: C
This story was originally published April 27, 2019 at 3:15 PM.
