Niner Noise
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San Francisco 49ers: Biggest winners & losers from the 2018 NFL Draft

By Peter Panacy

ARLINGTON, TX - APRIL 26: A video board displays an image of Mike McGlinchey of Notre Dame after he was picked #9 overall by the San Francisco 49ers during the first round of the 2018 NFL Draft at AT&T Stadium on April 26, 2018 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Tom Pennington/Getty Images)
ARLINGTON, TX - APRIL 26: A video board displays an image of Mike McGlinchey of Notre Dame after he was picked #9 overall by the San Francisco 49ers during the first round of the 2018 NFL Draft at AT&T Stadium on April 26, 2018 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Tom Pennington/Getty Images) /
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LANDOVER, MD – OCTOBER 15: Head coach Kyle Shanahan of the San Francisco 49ers looks on from the sideline as they play the Washington Redskins during the second half at FedExField on October 15, 2017 in Landover, Maryland. (Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images)
LANDOVER, MD – OCTOBER 15: Head coach Kyle Shanahan of the San Francisco 49ers looks on from the sideline as they play the Washington Redskins during the second half at FedExField on October 15, 2017 in Landover, Maryland. (Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images) /

Winner: Head Coach Kyle Shanahan

Remember, many pundits and analysts figured the 49ers would focus on defense early in the NFL Draft.

Well, they didn’t. Instead, head coach Kyle Shanahan got two key offensive pieces with the team’s first two picks — Mike McGlinchey and Dante Pettis.

McGlinchey is far better a scheme fit than Trent Brown. Then factor in the free-agent pickup of center Weston Richburg, Shanahan’s offensive line is now even more tailored to his system.

Pettis is a prototypical Shanahan receiver too. Bleacher Report’s Doug Farrar compared Pettis to now-Chicago Bears wide receiver Taylor Gabriel, who thrived under Shanahan when the latter was offensive coordinator of the Atlanta Falcons.

What likely intrigued Shanahan and Co. was Pettis’ route-running abilities and separation qualities.

With Pettis in tow, Shanahan’s offense goes from up and coming to being on the verge of prolific.

That constitutes a win.