NFL power rankings: 32-team breakdown after the 2018 NFL Draft

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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) /

. San Francisco 49ers. 14. team. 42. . Last Rank: 13

Best Pick: WR Dante Pettis, Washington

Yes, the much-hyped San Francisco 49ers drop a spot in our NFL power rankings after the draft. And yes, we realize we’re a Niners-first site.

San Francisco 49ers /

San Francisco 49ers

There’s a reason for the one-spot fall, though. A good one.

The 49ers’ selection of Notre Dame offensive tackle Mike McGlinchey at No. 9 overall didn’t make sense at first. But then general manager John Lynch moved 2017 starting tackle Trent Brown to the New England Patriots. McGlinchey is far better in the run game and a better fit for head coach Kyle Shanahan. So we get the move. It’s smart, safe and protects the team’s biggest investment, quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo.

But San Francisco needed a pass-rusher after finishing 26th last season with just 30 sacks, all the while boasting little by the way of an edge bender. Even if the value wasn’t there at No. 9, Lynch and Co. could have also targeted one of the big-name defenders like Derwin James or Minkah Fitzpatrick.

Should that come back to haunt San Francisco? Perhaps, as its defense still needs a lot of work.

Some fans may question the Round 2 trade-up for Washington wide receiver Dante Pettis. NFL Network’s Mike Mayock thought Pettis a slot-type receiver during the television broadcast, but Shanahan will do much more with Pettis than that.

Had Pettis gone to most other teams, it would have been a reach. In the hands of the offensively genius Shanahan, though, Pettis could be an absolute stud.