The 49ers’ draft class has faced criticism for being unimpressive, with draft analysts giving them mostly Bs and Cs compared to other NFC teams. Sports Illustrated ranked the 49ers 11th in the NFC’s draft classes, highlighting their missed opportunities in selecting high-profile wide receivers.
Despite the hesitancy of many analysts to critique the team, Gilberto Manzano believes that the 49ers may need to choose between Deebo Samuel and Brandon Aiyuk due to their recent drafting success and lack of cap space. Manzano noted that selecting a player who won’t see much playing time in the near future means the 49ers may not have improved for the upcoming season.
According to Manzano, several NFC teams had better drafts than the 49ers, including the Vikings, Packers, Buccaneers, Saints, Cardinals, Rams, Eagles, Lions, Commanders, and Bears. These teams are seen as having drafted players who will have a more immediate impact on their respective teams in 2024, whereas the 49ers focused more on building for the future in 2025.