Sports Illustrated Gives the 49ers a "B" Grade for their Draft

The 49ers have received mixed reviews for their most recent draft class.

I gave it a "C" because I felt it didn't make the 49ers better now when trying to win their first Super Bowl since 1995. Sports Illustrated's Matt Verderame gives it a "B," and here's why:

"Kyle Shanahan played wide receiver and evaluates the wide receiver class each year for the 49ers. He’s had tremendous success at picking the position so far during his tenure as the team’s coach, and Pearsall seems like a player who can also help San Francisco blend a little bit of (Los Angeles Rams head coach Sean) McVay into the system by involving the versatile wideout into their blocking scheme intimately."

Verderame is correct that Shanahan has drafted some excellent receivers, such as Deebo Samuel, Brandon Aiyuk and Jauan Jennings. Shanahan also signed Kendrick Bourne as an undrafted free agent, and now he's a starter for the New England Patriots.

But Shanahan also traded up for Dante Pettis in Round 2, which was a big mistake. And Shanahan spent a third-round pick on Danny Gray, who has one catch in two career seasons. Plus Shanahan spent a third-round pick on Jalen Hurd, who never played a snap in a regular season game. So Shanahan isn't infallible when it comes to drafting wide receivers.

Pearsall probably will be one of the good ones, even though he's built like Pettis. But the 49ers didn't need a wide receiver in Round 1. They would have been better off taking almost any other position.