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Biggest winners, losers from 49ers’ moves in 2023 NFL Draft

By Peter Panacy

San Francisco 49ers quarterback Trey Lance (5) Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports
San Francisco 49ers quarterback Trey Lance (5) Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports /
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Steve Wilks, Carolina Panthers
Carolina Panthers head coach Steve Wilks  Mandatory Credit: Joe Nicholson-USA TODAY Sports /

Winner: 49ers D-Coordinator Steve Wilks

Imagine being hired to take over the NFL’s No. 1-ranked scoring defense from a season ago. Then, after an offseason where that same defense added former Philadelphia Eagles star defensive tackle Javon Hargrave, that same defense doubled down with even more additions in the NFL Draft.

Welcome to new defensive coordinator Steve Wilks’ new world with San Francisco.

Sure, former coordinator DeMeco Ryans is probably happy enough with his new employer, the Houston Texans, owning two of the draft’s first three picks.

Read More: Who did the 49ers take in the 2023 NFL Draft?

But Wilks can be pretty happy knowing that five of the nine players the 49ers drafted were on his side of the ball, including the team’s first selection, Ji’Ayir Brown, and then four of the six selections on day three.

The Niners are ensuring Wilks not only has long-term potential to work with, but they want him to have adequate depth, too.

Wilks won big here.