The San Francisco 49ers are receiving plenty of flak for their numerous reaches throughout the 2026 NFL Draft, particularly over their first three selections: wide receiver De'Zhaun Stribling, defensive end Romello Height and running back Kaelon Black.
Perhaps the Niners should point at their NFC West rivals, the Los Angeles Rams, and say something along the lines of, "their reach was way worse."
L.A. infamously used the No. 13 overall pick, one acquired in a trade with the Atlanta Falcons a year ago, on Alabama quarterback Ty Simpson. Widely viewed as being available either late in Round 1 or perhaps even slipping into Round 2, there was no way around the reaction of Simpson being a major reach with the 13th pick.
Particularly with a Los Angeles team still getting MVP-level production from quarterback Matthew Stafford on a stacked roster ready to win a Super Bowl now. Coupled with the fact this year's draft was short on blue-chip prospects, the Rams still could have landed an impact player to support Stafford and Co. and help them win right away.
Simpson won't be that for some time, perhaps years, assuming he pans out.
Ironically, though, L.A. might have been beset by a similar fate San Francisco dealt with as it was reportedly trying to move down from the 33rd overall pick, the one ultimately used on Stribling.
Rams apparently tried trading down to draft Ty Simpson (but failed)
According to ESPN's Peter Schrager's final mock before Round 1 had Los Angeles trading down with the Detroit Lions, who held the 17th overall pick, citing Detroit's love for Alabama offensive tackle Kadyn Proctor as a primary motivation behind the would-be trade.
Ultimately, though, the Miami Dolphins selected Proctor at No. 12 overall, one spot ahead of the Rams' selection.
Assuredly, general manager Les Snead desperately tried working the phones to find another trade partner after the Lions were no longer interested, but the end result reveals the obvious: no trade materialized. And Snead ultimately concluded Simpson wouldn't be available by the time L.A. was next on the clock at No. 61 overall.
Hence, the pick.
Heading into Round 2, there were several reports talking about the 49ers shopping the 33rd overall pick after trading down twice from (and out of) Round 1 the previous day. But, just like Snead experienced, no trades materialized. The Niners had to decide whether or pass on Stribling or to take him at that point and expect the laughs to roll in (and they have).
If it's any solace, at least, San Francisco can point at its NFC West rivals and say, "what they did was so much worse."
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