The San Francisco 49ers have built a reputation for doing things their own way under general manager John Lynch. That approach has helped turn them into a consistent contender, but it has also created a pattern that comes under the spotlight every draft cycle.
This year, that spotlight feels harsher. With the 2026 NFL Draft now complete, the conversation has shifted from bold strategy to real concern. San Francisco once again leaned heavily on its own board, starting with the selection of De’Zhaun Stribling at No. 33, a move many viewed as a reach given that he was widely regarded as a Day 3 pick.
John Lynch Under Fire After 49ers’ Underwhelming 2026 NFL Draft
The 49ers received a D+ grade in PFSN’s 2026 NFL Draft grades, which was tied for the worst in the league. Their first two picks both received D grades, and they had four other C-graded picks. Their highest-graded pick was DT Gracen Halton at No. 107 as he earned n A+. But overall, the class left a lot to be desired based on PFSN’s grades that factor in value, whether the team addressed its needs, and more:
- WR De’Zhaun Stribling, D- | No. 33
- EDGE Romello Height, D- | No. 70
- RB Kaelon Black, C- | No. 90
- DT Gracen Halton, A+ | No. 107
- OT Carver Willis, C- | No. 127
- CB Ephesians Prysock, B+ | No. 139
- LB Jaden Dugger, C- | No. 154
- OT Enrique Cruz Jr., C- | No. 179
After the draft, 49ers beat writer Grant Cohn asked Lynch to his face why he strays from consensus so often and makes so many “reaches.” This exchange amplified Lynch’s questionable moves, and now the NFL world is weighing in on whether the 49ers should fire the general manager.
“It is within reason to say that if the 49ers weren’t winning the way that they are, John Lynch would not be an acting GM at this time,” sports doctor Jeff Mueller wrote. “No other GM would survive this. It’s ridiculous.”
“This is gross. The 49ers have sucked at drafting the last four years,” posted Chase Senior, an NFL analyst and host of the “49ers Report.”
“Get this man out of the FO,” wrote one influencer. “Insane they’ve been so successful w/ how bad Lynch has drafted.”
Last season, the Niners offense had the NFL’s fourth-best offense, according to PFSN’s Offense Impact Score, as the unit earned an 85.2 grade. However, on defense, the team struggled mightily, ranking No. 27 in the league with a 67.6 Defense Impact Score.
The decision to reach for Stribling rather than address the defense was surprising, especially since the Niners added to their WR room this offseason by signing free agents Mike Evans and Christian Kirk.
Lynch is in a unique spot. The Niners won 12 games last year and are positioned to contend once again this season, yet his recent draft history is rough. Both things can be true.
“I’m glad the #49ers have confidence and conviction,” 49ers content creator Damon Bruce wrote. “They’ve also had success. But they’d do even more w/ better draft picks. Period.”
That middle-ground take reflects where much of the conversation sits. The 49ers are not broken, but there is a sense that they are leaving value on the table.
NFL analyst Warren Sharp recently evaluated Lynch’s last four drafts, and they graded out as the worst class in 2026, second-worst in 2025 and 2023, and fifth-worst in 2024. Of San Francisco’s 33 picks over the last four years, he determined that 25 were reaches vs. consensus for a whopping 76% reach rate.
“Per @SharpFootball, the 49ers have ‘reached’ vs. consensus on 21 of their last 23 Day 2/3 picks,” added scouting analyst Will Helms. “All except Upton Stout have been busts. The two non-reaches (Malik Mustafa, CJ West) have been pretty good. Consensus board matters.”
Lynch and head coach Kyle Shanahan have built the Niners into a contender, reaching two Super Bowls (54, 57) and multiple NFC Championship Games. And it’s possible that San Francisco’s rookie class will exceed all expectations and silence these critics.
But for now, the picks aren’t generating real excitement. Instead, they are prompting tough conversations about Lynch’s future and the state of the franchise.
