Niner Noise
FanSided

San Francisco 49ers offseason review, grades and analysis

By Peter Panacy

Feb 9, 2017; Santa Clara, CA, USA; San Francisco 49ers general manager John Lynch and head coach Kyle Shanahan pose for a photo during a press conference at Levi's Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 9, 2017; Santa Clara, CA, USA; San Francisco 49ers general manager John Lynch and head coach Kyle Shanahan pose for a photo during a press conference at Levi's Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports /
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Apr 28, 2017; Santa Clara, CA, USA; (l to r) San Francisco 49ers general manager John Lynch , linebacker Reuben Foster , defensive lineman Soloman Thomas , and head coach Kyle Shanahan pose for photos during the press conference at Levi’s Stadium Auditorium. Mandatory Credit: Stan Szeto-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 28, 2017; Santa Clara, CA, USA; (l to r) San Francisco 49ers general manager John Lynch , linebacker Reuben Foster , defensive lineman Soloman Thomas , and head coach Kyle Shanahan pose for photos during the press conference at Levi’s Stadium Auditorium. Mandatory Credit: Stan Szeto-USA TODAY Sports /

49ers’ Actions in the 2017 NFL Draft

If general manager John Lynch performed very well in free agency, he absolutely aced his test in his first NFL Draft.

The Niners entered the draft with 10 picks, including No. 2 overall. And Lynch came away with 10 players, including two first rounders, and still managed to add draft capital for 2018.

Of course the biggest steal was moving down from No. 2 and still acquiring Stanford defensive end Solomon Thomas at No. 3 overall, picking up three picks — one in 2018 — from the Chicago Bears, who were adamant about grabbing North Carolina quarterback Mitchell Trubisky.

This “robbery” is described in excellent detail in the video below:

Lynch wasn’t done, of course. He managed to work his way back into the tail end of Round 1, grabbing Alabama standout linebacker Reuben Foster at No. 31 just before the New Orleans Saints could draft him.

Wow.

49ers 2017 NFL Draft Picks

  1. DE Solomon Thomas, Stanford (No. 3)
  2. ILB Reuben Foster, Alabama (No. 31)
  3. CB Ahkello Witherspoon, Colorado (No. 66)
  4. QB C.J. Beathard, Iowa (No. 104)
  5. RB Joe Williams, Utah (No. 121)
  6. TE George Kittle, Iowa (No. 146)
  7. WR Trent Taylor, Louisiana Tech (No. 177)
  8. DL D.J. Jones, Ole Miss (No. 198)
  9. EDGE Pita Taumoepenu, Utah (No. 202)
  10. S Adrian Colbert, Miami (No. 229)

Thomas, Foster and cornerback Ahkello Witherspoon dominate this class and should be immediate upgrades for a 49ers defense that was as historically bad as it gets in 2016.

But one of the potential steals might be tight end George Kittle.

Related Story: Why TE George Kittle may be the 49ers' steal of the NFL Draft

Had Kittle played at a more prolific collegiate program, it wouldn’t have been a shock to see him a day-two pick. Still, Kittle’s hands and playmaking abilities should make him a favorite to start, if not right away, at some point in 2017.

The only thing keeping this from being an A-plus draft was the selection of Iowa quarterback in C.J. Beathard — a move requiring a trade up into the late stages of Round 3.

Beathard likely would have slipped. But head coach Kyle Shanahan wanted his guy and didn’t want to worry about another team reaching to get him.

Grade: A