John Lynch has served as the San Francisco 49ers’ general manager since 2017, and his tenure is largely viewed as successful. Under his leadership, the franchise has reached two Super Bowls, and even with injuries decimating the roster in 2025, San Francisco still managed an impressive run to the Divisional Round.
However, it became increasingly clear throughout the season that the 49ers were the third-best team in the NFC West. One analyst now argues that the organization should consider a change at the general manager position, pointing to Lynch’s poor drafting record as a growing concern.
John Lynch’s Poor Draft Record Comes Under Scrutiny
While Brock Purdy and George Kittle are among the best players the 49ers have drafted during Lynch’s tenure, both were Day 3 selections, which may have helped shield him from deeper scrutiny of his overall draft record.
Sports Illustrated’s Grant Cohn recently highlighted a telling stat regarding Lynch’s performance with premium draft capital.
“Since John Lynch became general manager in 2017, the 49ers have had 41 picks in the top three rounds,” Cohen wrote. “With those picks, Lynch has drafted just three Pro Bowlers: 1. Fred Warner (2018) 2. Nick Bosa (2019) 3. Deebo Samuel (2019).”
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While Pro Bowl appearances are far from a perfect measure of success, all three players have undeniably been impactful, and the list ends there. It’s also worth noting that Lynch has used some high picks in trades for stars such as Christian McCaffrey and Trent Williams, though several other moves have yielded far less favorable results.
“That’s all Lynch has to show for nine years of drafting in the top three rounds. ChatGPT probably could have done a better job,” Cohn added bluntly.
Lynch, a former All-Pro safety who made nine Pro Bowl teams in his career, had no prior front-office experience before taking over as the 49ers’ general manager. Despite the team’s sustained success, Cohn believes the margin for error is shrinking, especially within a rapidly improving NFC West.
“The best players on the 49ers are getting old and breaking down, while the Seahawks and Rams are young and ascending. Suddenly, the 49ers are the third-best team in the division, and the gap between them and the teams above them could widen this offseason if the 49ers don’t draft extremely well.”
While Lynch isn’t solely responsible for draft decisions, with head coaches also playing a significant role, the current approach may no longer be sustainable. Whether through a strong draft or another blockbuster trade, potentially even for a player like Vikings All-Pro wide receiver Justin Jefferson, as Cohn suggested, Lynch may need a major win this offseason to quiet growing criticism and secure his long-term future in San Francisco.
