Niner Noise
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49ers’ best and worst picks from the 2019 NFL Draft

By Peter Panacy

NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE - APRIL 25: Nick Bosa of Ohio State reacts after being chosen #2 overall by the San Francisco 49ers during the first round of the 2019 NFL Draft on April 25, 2019 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)
NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE - APRIL 25: Nick Bosa of Ohio State reacts after being chosen #2 overall by the San Francisco 49ers during the first round of the 2019 NFL Draft on April 25, 2019 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images) /
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SEATTLE, WA – NOVEMBER 18: Punter Mitch Wishnowsky #33 of the Utah Utes rushes for a first down on a fake punt play against the Washington Huskies at Husky Stadium on November 18, 2017 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Otto Greule Jr/Getty Images)
SEATTLE, WA – NOVEMBER 18: Punter Mitch Wishnowsky #33 of the Utah Utes rushes for a first down on a fake punt play against the Washington Huskies at Husky Stadium on November 18, 2017 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Otto Greule Jr/Getty Images) /

49ers’ Worst Picks from 2019

There’s probably one consensus choice for San Francisco’s worst pick from this year’s NFL Draft. And that likely has more to do with where Mitch Wishnowsky was selected rather than merely being drafted at all.

Especially considering the Niners failed to address the secondary — a unit which ranked dead last in 2018, according to Pro Football Focus — until their final pick.

Punter Mitch Wishnowsky, No. 110 Overall

The 49ers became the first team to select a specialist in the 2019 NFL Draft, and both Kyle Shanahan and John Lynch stressed the likelihood Wishnowsky wasn’t going to be available the round after San Francisco grabbed him.

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Still, a punter in Round 4.

Granted, the team had a need after punter Bradley Pinion departed in free agency. And Wishnowsky could wind up being a major field-changing weapon on special teams for years. That’s always a bonus.

The pick is understandable. But that doesn’t mean it was a great move.

Offensive Tackle Justin Skule, No. 186 Overall

It’s hard to criticize the back end of day-three picks. At that point in the NFL Draft, teams are often looking at players they think can either make the roster or at least fit what they’re trying to do.

In the case of Justin Skule, however, about the only thing he’ll offer is the ability to compete with veteran offensive lineman Shon Coleman for the team’s primary swing-tackle role this training camp.

Skule did look effective shutting down some premier pass-rushers within the SEC last year. That said, he’s relatively clunky and doesn’t quite move in the way Shanahan would like his linemen to operate.