Redrafting the San Francisco 49ers’ 2018 NFL Draft class
By Peter Panacy
Round 2, Pick No. 44 Overall: Wide Receiver Christian Kirk
Original Pick: Wide Receiver Dante Pettis
This one is a little tougher to break down. The 49ers look like they’ve found a nice piece for head coach Kyle Shanahan’s offense in wide receiver Dante Pettis, who struggled early with consistency and injuries, but came on over his final five games of 2018.
Pettis’ route-running abilities and separation skills are certainly noteworthy. And while some might have seen the Niners trading up in Round 2 (No. 59 to No. 44 overall) as a reach, Pettis’ fit in the offense is certainly worthy enough to justify it.
That said, and for the purposes of arguing, a San Francisco trade-up might have been better used on former Texas A&M wide receiver Christian Kirk, who was frequently seen in the tail end of many a Round 1 NFL Draft mock, and was eventually selected by the Arizona Cardinals at No. 47 overall.
Kirk finished the year with 590 receiving yards and three touchdowns, bettering Pettis in the yardage department by over 100 — impressive, considering the wholly ineffective Arizona offense of a year ago.
It’s not just the stats, either. Kirk’s route running is also noteworthy, and he has good enough separation speed to justify the fit in Shanahan’s offense.
This is a close call. But since we’re doing a redraft, might as well actually re-draft.