49ers' Draft Tendencies: Defensive Line and Wide Receiver Favorites

Will the 49ers continue their pattern of prioritizing defensive line and wide receiver in the 2026 NFL Draft?

Apr. 11, 2026 at 4:13pm by

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A fragmented, cubist-style painting depicting a 49ers football game, with sharp geometric shapes and planes of scarlet red, gold, and black colors, capturing the team's draft tendencies in an abstract, conceptual manner.The 49ers' draft strategy of prioritizing defensive line and wide receiver positions is deconstructed into a cubist masterpiece, reflecting the team's tendency to focus on specific needs over a more holistic approach.San Francisco Today

The San Francisco 49ers, under the leadership of John Lynch and Kyle Shanahan, have developed a tendency to target defensive line and wide receiver positions in the first two rounds of the NFL Draft. Over the past nine drafts, the 49ers have selected 10 players in the first and second rounds who have played either defensive line or wide receiver. This strategy has yielded some success, with players like Nick Bosa and Deebo Samuel emerging as stars. However, it raises questions about whether the 49ers are drafting for need rather than taking the best player available. As the 2026 NFL Draft approaches, the 49ers have two picks in the first two rounds, and it remains to be seen if they will stay true to their pattern or explore other positions of need.

Why it matters

The 49ers' draft tendencies have a significant impact on the team's roster construction and long-term success. By consistently prioritizing defensive line and wide receiver, the 49ers may be overlooking other positions of need or passing on talented players at other positions. Understanding the team's draft strategy can provide insight into their decision-making process and help fans and analysts predict the team's future moves.

The details

The 49ers' first-round picks under the Lynch/Shanahan regime have included four defensive linemen, one linebacker, one offensive lineman, two wide receivers, and one quarterback. In the second round, they have selected two wide receivers, one offensive lineman, two defensive linemen, and one cornerback. This pattern suggests a clear preference for defensive line and wide receiver, which may be influenced by Shanahan's background as a wide receiver coach and Lynch's experience playing behind dominant defensive lines. While the 49ers have found success with some of these picks, such as Bosa and Samuel, there have also been questionable selections, like the Javon Kinlaw pick in 2020 when they could have had CeeDee Lamb.

  • The 49ers have had two picks in the first two rounds of the NFL Draft in each of the past nine years (2017-2025).
  • The 2026 NFL Draft is less than two weeks away.

The players

John Lynch

The general manager of the San Francisco 49ers, who has overseen the team's draft strategy since 2017.

Kyle Shanahan

The head coach of the San Francisco 49ers, who has collaborated with John Lynch on the team's draft decisions.

Nick Bosa

A defensive lineman drafted by the 49ers in the first round in 2019, who has made multiple Pro Bowls, been named All-Pro, and was crowned Defensive Rookie of the Year (2019) and Defensive Player of the Year (2022).

Deebo Samuel

A wide receiver drafted by the 49ers in the second round in 2019, who has been an All-Pro and Pro Bowler.

Javon Kinlaw

A defensive lineman drafted by the 49ers in the first round in 2020, whose selection has been questioned by some analysts.

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What they’re saying

“I wonder if the 49ers will stay on brand or alter their approach and do something different?”

— Marc Adams, Author

“My prediction: the 49ers will add picks 11 and 12 to that group of DL/WR. But maybe they'll fool us all and go in a different direction.”

— Marc Adams, Author

What’s next

The 49ers will have two picks in the first two rounds of the 2026 NFL Draft, and it remains to be seen if they will continue their pattern of prioritizing defensive line and wide receiver or explore other positions of need.

The takeaway

The 49ers' draft tendencies under the Lynch/Shanahan regime have focused heavily on defensive line and wide receiver, which has yielded some success but also raised questions about whether they are drafting for need rather than taking the best player available. As the 2026 NFL Draft approaches, it will be interesting to see if the 49ers stay true to their pattern or explore other positions of need to build a more well-rounded roster.