The bulk of analysis out there so far on the San Francisco 49ers' 2026 NFL Draft class isn't particularly inspiring, thanks largely to what several analysts and pundits would refer to as "reaches."
Indeed, the Niners' first pick of Ole Miss wide receiver De'Zhaun Stribing falls into this category.
Taken 33rd overall, many thought the speedy wideout would go no earlier than the third round, yet San Francisco chose to make him its first pick after trading out from Round 1 entirely.
That wasn't the only reach either.
Indiana running back Kaelon Black going in Round 3 seemed to be quite the reach, too. And, given the 49ers' previous history with third-round running backs, one can't help but wonder if general manager John Lynch and Co. are simply repeating old habits that don't work.
Certainly Sports Illustrated's Grant Cohn felt that way when he asked Lynch during a post-draft presser about the Niners seeming to not fall in line with what most draft experts' consensuses felt would be the most reasonable picks at each spot.
Lynch didn't exactly shy away from the question.
"Well, I appreciate that you think that," Lynch responded. "It depends on whose consensus. We've got consensus in this building, and that's the consensus that I care about."
Fair enough.
Indeed, all that matters to Lynch and head coach Kyle Shanahan is how well their players develop and perform. And if San Francisco hits on several of the picks, no one will care whether or not each selection was a reach.
Unfortunately, the only way to figure that out will be to give each selection time to do so, and those answers won't be revealed for a while.
Hat tip to David Bonilla of 49ers Webzone for the find and transcription.
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