The 49ers’ 2019 draft class could be one of the most influential in the team’s history. We took a look at the entire eight-player class to come up with the best-case and worst-case scenarios for each pick.
Injuries are the obvious worst-case scenario for every athlete. We left those out of our doomsday situations for each 49ers draft pick, and instead focused on the things that could possibly go wrong football-wise.
DE Nick Bosa
Even Bosa’s worst-case scenario doesn’t seem terrible in a vacuum. His floor is probably a situational pass rusher who moves around the defensive line based on the situation. That’s obviously not what the 49ers were looking for with the No. 2 pick though. It could set the 49ers back several years if Bosa can’t stay on the field for three downs and get to the quarterback with regularity off the edge.
Find Bosa’s best-case scenario here.
WR Deebo Samuel
Perhaps there was something to the idea that gadget plays were the best way to get Samuel to produce. It could be a disaster if he gets into the NFL and can’t out-physical defenders the way he did in college. His short receptions wouldn’t turn into long gains because of his inability to break tackles, and because of that, the warts on his game would become exacerbated as he struggled to find a role in the 49ers’ offense.
Find Samuel’s best-case scenario here.
WR Jalen Hurd
Being without a position winds up hurting Hurd more than helping him. He’s never able to fully develop as a pass catcher and it mitigates some of the advantage his size and athleticism gives him. He bounces around to a few different positions before the 49ers finally stash him as a depth piece at the back end of the receiver depth chart.
Find Hurd’s best-case scenario here.
P Mitch Wishnowsky
As much as the 49ers can’t afford to have Bosa fail, Wishnowsky not living up to his draft position might be worse. A worst-case scenario means he’s more valuable on kickoffs than he is punts, and winds up near the bottom of the league in punting average every year. San Francisco wants Wishnowsky to kick for them for a decade. It’d be tough to justify this selection if he exits after four unspectacular years.
Find Wishnowsky’s best-case scenario here.
LB Dre Greenlaw
The worst case here is Greenlaw never gains traction as an option on defense and he wallows away at the bottom of the depth chart. He’ll probably play special teams, but a disaster would mean he’s ineffective on those units and perhaps doesn’t even finish out his rookie contract before the 49ers part ways with the fifth-round pick.
Find Greenlaw’s best-case scenario here.
TE Kaden Smith
A lack of athleticism keeps Smith from ever being a real receiving threat, even in the hyper-creative Shanahan scheme. He serves as a third tight end for most of his rookie year, then is constantly in a battle for playing time over the rest of his time in red and gold.
Find Smith’s best-case scenario here:
OT Justin Skule
The worst case here is that Skule is never really a factor. He spends his rookie year on the practice squad, but never gets into the conversation as a swing or starting tackle at any point in his career. The absolute worst case is that he never cracks the 53-man roster.
Find Skule’s best-case scenario here.
CB Tim Harris
Harris never finds his footing in the NFL and is relegated to special teams duty if he is on the roster. He might even bounce around to the practice squad over a couple seasons before the 49ers part ways in search of a cornerback who can contribute more effectively in a larger variety of ways.
Find Harris’ best-case scenario here.
