A quick assessment of the 49ers’ capital in the 2020 NFL draft makes it easy to see why a trade out of the first round would be beneficial. They have the No. 31 pick, then they’re off the clock again until the 139th selection. It’s not often that moving out of the first round is the best method of operation for a team, but San Francisco’s track record of hitting on mid-round picks makes a move back from No. 31 even more logical.
The 49ers have had a ton of mid-round success since general manager John Lynch and head coach Kyle Shanahan took over in 2017. They’ll need to continue that run of success outside the first round in this year’s draft in order to restock the depth on their roster and set themselves up for long-term success.
Here’s a look at some of their best picks from Rounds 2 through 5 during the Lynch-Shanahan tenure:
Round 2
WR Deebo Samuel | Pick 36 | 2019
Samuel’s versatility as a receiver and a runner made him one of the most productive rookie wide receivers in 49ers history. He racked up 961 yards from scrimmage and six touchdowns on 71 touches. Samuel was also the team’s top wide receiver with 802 receiving yards. It looks like Samuel was a steal after Year 1, but there’s a chance for him to emerge as one of the best picks from the 2019 draft class if he takes a step up next season.
Other Round 2 picks by Lynch: WR Dante Pettis (2018)
Round 3
CB Ahkello Witherspoon | Pick 66 | 2017
It’s been an up-and-down three seasons for Witherspoon, who showed a lot of promise in Year 1 before disappointing in Year 2, and bounced back in Year 3 until he was derailed by a foot injury. His season ended with benchings in Week 17 of the regular season and in the divisional playoffs. While the jury is still out on Witherspoon’s viability as a long-term starter, he was playing at a Pro Bowl level before his injury, which gives some promise he’ll contend for a starting job in his fourth season.
LB Fred Warner | Pick 70 | 2018
There aren’t a lot of stars rising faster than Warner at the linebacker position. He’s the perfect fit at the position for defending modern offenses, with a combination of size and athleticism that allows him to be effective against the run and pass. He recorded two interceptions and eight pass breakups in his second full season, and looks to be a staple in the heart of the 49ers defense for the foreseeable future.
DB Tarvarius Moore | Pick 95 | 2018
Moore hasn’t gotten many chances to shine, but did show up big in the Super Bowl with a pass breakup on a third down and an interception in the red zone. However, a position change from safety to cornerback in Year 1 kept him from developing quickly enough to hold on to the starting free safety job in his second season. He only moved back to his natural spot after injuries at the position forced him to move back there during the offseason program. There’s a chance he’s the team’s starting free safety going into 2020 if Jimmie Ward leaves in free agency.
Other Round 3 picks by Lynch: QB CJ Beathard (2017), WR Jalen Hurd (2019)
Round 4
P Mitch Wishnowsky | Pick 110 | 2019
Wishnowsky doesn’t have the booming leg that’s going to have him near the top in punting average every year, but the hang time on his kicks and his savvy directional punting played into the 49ers’ special teams allowing only 5.7 yards per punt return. He also had just two of his punts land in the end zone for touchbacks. While improving on kickoffs will be key for the 49ers’ 2019 fourth-round pick, his savvy as a punter helped them in the field position battle.
Other Round 4 picks by Lynch: RB Joe Williams (2017), DL Kentavius Street (2018)
Round 5
TE George Kittle | Pick 146 | 2017
Finding a starter in the fifth round is nice. Finding an All-Pro, future Hall of Famer is how teams go from bottom feeder to the Super Bowl in three seasons. Kittle is already considered the best tight end in the league, and in 2019 was voted by Pro Football Focus as the best overall player in football. He’s a dynamite run blocker and a monster as a pass catcher. Getting Kittle’s talent in Round 1 would’ve been great. Getting it in Round 5 is exceedingly rare.
WR Trent Taylor | Pick 177 | 2017
Injuries have kept Taylor from building on a strong rookie year where he caught 43 passes for 430 yards and two touchdowns. However, he was arguably the team’s best receiver in camp prior to a season-ending foot injury in 2019. Now he has a chance going into Year 4 to re-emerge as a significant player in the 49ers’ passing attack. If he gets there, the 2017 fifth round could be one of the best Lynch puts together as a GM.
LB Dre Greenlaw | Pick 148 | 2019
It looked like the Arkansas product was going to be relegated to special teams when he was first drafted, but Greenlaw quickly worked his way onto the starting unit in the offseason and grabbed the starting Sam linebacker spot to start the year. He eventually filled in for the injured Kwon Alexander at Will linebacker and turned in an excellent rookie campaign. Greenlaw is excellent at getting sideline-to-sideline and playing in coverage. He fits in well with the 49ers’ exceptionally athletic linebacking corps and should emerge as a long-term starter in San Francisco.
Other Round 5 picks by Lynch: DB DJ Reed (2018)
