5 biggest takeaways from 49ers waterlogged loss vs. Colts

No. 4: 49ers aren’t prioritizing their NFL Draft investments

Speaking of not playing high-profile rookies, San Francisco isn’t making anywhere near the headway with its 2021 rookie class as it should be.

Perhaps that’s a detriment to how the 49ers draft. Or, possibly, it’s stubbornness on the part of Kyle Shanahan not to play his first-year players despite them being of the high-profile variety. Maybe a bit of both.

Rookie quarterback Trey Lance was inactive because of the knee injury he suffered two weeks ago. But more on him in a moment.

Related Story: 49ers gaffes from 2021 NFL Draft becoming clearer

Second-round rookie guard Aaron Banks was active for the first time in his career but didn’t see an offensive snap. Instead, in light of left tackle Trent Williams being inactive with an ankle injury, fifth-round rookie Jaylon Moore got the start and performed adequately enough.

Third-round rookie running back Trey Sermon didn’t see a single carry, instead the lion’s share of those going to Round 6 rusher Elijah Mitchell, who at least capped over 100 yards on the ground and had a touchdown.

Ambry Thomas, meanwhile, was inactive again.

Rookies are always hard to evaluate early almost by default. So far, though, the Niners’ returns from the first two days of their draft have been awfully disappointing and largely non-existent.