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49ers Fortunate to Lack Third-Round Pick in 2026 NFL Draft
San Francisco's recent struggles to find consistent talent in the third round make the missing pick a blessing in disguise.
Apr. 19, 2026 at 1:00am
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A fractured, geometric illustration captures the complex challenges the 49ers have faced in the third round of the NFL Draft.Santa Clara TodayThe San Francisco 49ers only have six picks in the upcoming 2026 NFL Draft, with their third-round selection traded away to the Dallas Cowboys. While this may seem like a disadvantage, the 49ers' recent history of poor third-round picks makes the missing selection a potential blessing in disguise.
Why it matters
Under the leadership of Kyle Shanahan and John Lynch, the 49ers have struggled to find consistent talent in the third round of the draft. Of their 15 third-round picks since 2017, only one - linebacker Fred Warner - has truly stood out and developed into an elite player.
The details
Several of the 49ers' third-round selections have failed to refine their skills enough to earn long-term roles, whether due to injuries, scheme fit, or stalled progression. Others simply didn't deliver on expectations, like quarterback C.J. Beathard and cornerback Ahkello Witherspoon. Injuries have also played a major role in derailing the potential of players like wide receiver Jalen Hurd and running backs Trey Sermon and Ty Davis-Price.
- The 49ers traded their third-round pick in the 2026 NFL Draft to the Dallas Cowboys for defensive tackle Osa Odighizuwa.
The players
Kyle Shanahan
Head coach of the San Francisco 49ers.
John Lynch
General manager of the San Francisco 49ers.
Fred Warner
Linebacker for the San Francisco 49ers, who has developed into one of the best draft picks in franchise history and is on pace to set multiple 49ers records, with a potential path to the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
What’s next
The 49ers will look to make the most of their remaining six picks in the 2026 NFL Draft, focusing on finding consistent talent and avoiding the pitfalls that have plagued their recent third-round selections.
The takeaway
The 49ers' lack of a third-round pick in the 2026 NFL Draft may actually work in their favor, given their recent struggles to find consistent value in that round. This could allow the team to focus its resources on more reliable selections and avoid the potential landmines that have plagued their third-round picks in recent years.
