Niner Noise
FanSided

Biggest 49ers winners and losers from the 2019 NFL Draft

By Peter Panacy

NEW YORK, NY - APRIL 28: NFL Commissoner Roger Goodell greets Aldon Smith, #7 overall pick by the San Francisco 49ers, during the 2011 NFL Draft at Radio City Music Hall on April 28, 2011 in New York City. (Photo by Chris Trotman/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NY - APRIL 28: NFL Commissoner Roger Goodell greets Aldon Smith, #7 overall pick by the San Francisco 49ers, during the 2011 NFL Draft at Radio City Music Hall on April 28, 2011 in New York City. (Photo by Chris Trotman/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

After the 49ers surrendered the fifth most points in 2018 (435) and generated the fewest turnovers in the NFL by far (seven), the Niners’ 2019 NFL Draft class included just three defensive selections.

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True, John Lynch spent a good deal of free-agent capital and effort on defense, signing Kwon Alexander and cornerback Jason Verrett, while also trading for EDGE Dee Ford.

Fully half of San Francisco’s draft selections in 2019 helped reinforce the offense, starting off with wide receivers Deebo Samuel and Jalen Hurd in Rounds 2 and 3, respectively. The 49ers added some much-needed tight end depth with Stanford’s Kaden Smith in Round 6, while Vanderbilt’s Justin Skule should provide hefty competition for the team’s primary swing-tackle position.

The winner from all this? Well, Kyle Shanahan.

Shanahan already observed Samuel during the 2019 Senior Bowl, while the 6-foot-5 Hurd gives the 49ers offense a true red-zone threat and multifaceted weapon. Smith, meanwhile, is a potential upgrade over the Niners’ No. 2 tight end, Garrett Celek, who had more accepted penalties in 2018 (six) than receptions (five).

For those wondering when Shanahan’s offense was truly going to take off in San Francisco, you’re likely going to see it now.