2019 NFL Draft grades: 49ers' eight picks earn praise, question marks

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The 49ers addressed an obvious need in the first round of the 2019 NFL Draft on Thursday. San Francisco selected Ohio State edge rusher Nick Bosa No. 2 overall, bringing arguably the best pass-rusher available into an already improving defensive front.

But the 49ers' draft did not end that night in Nashville, and the team made seven more selections in total. In all, the 49ers drafted a defensive end, two wide receivers, a linebacker, a tight end, an offensive lineman, a defensive back and even a punter. 

So, how did the 49ers do? Here's a list of each of their picks, and grades for their 2019 draft class from writers around the country. 

49ers 2019 draft picks

First round (No. 2 overall): Nick Bosa, Ohio State, DE
Second round (No. 36 overall): Deebo Samuel, South Carolina, WR
Third round (No. 67 overall): Jalen Hurd, Baylor, WR
Fourth round (No. 110 oveall): Mitch Wishnowsky, Utah, Punter
Fifth round (No. 148 overall): Dre Greenlaw, Arkansas, LB
Sixth round (No. 176 overall): Kaden Smith, Stanford, TE
Sixth round (No. 183 overall): Justin Skule, Vanderbilt, OT
Sixth round (No. 198 overall): Tim Harris, Virginia, CB

Grades

USA Today
Grade: A
What they're saying: "Nick Bosa was widely regarded as the top player coming out this year and bolsters what should be a nasty Niners D-line. ... Deebo Samuel and Jalen Hurd should added needed zip to a passing game that got a disproportionate amount of its 2018 dividends from [tight end] George Kittle."

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NFL.com
Grade: A-
What they're saying: "The 49ers picked the best player in the 2019 NFL Draft in Nick Bosa. Adding him to a D-line that already includes Dee Ford means the Niners will greatly improve their pass rush, as they generated just 37 sacks in 2018 (bottom third of the league)."

Sports Illustrated
Grade: B
What they're saying: "The only downside is that San Fran’s secondary still has questions at No. 2 corner and second-string safety. Perhaps the Niners feel better about their secondary than we do — after all, instead of addressing it early in Round 4, they instead took a punter."

[RELATED: How will 49ers round out roster after 2019 NFL Draft?]

Washington Post
Grade: B
What they're saying: "You’re supposed to get good players, and you’re supposed to get better when you have the picks the 49ers had. They appear to have cashed in reasonably well. ... But using a fourth-round pick on a punter? That’s a bit odd, no matter how good Mitch Wishnowsky is."

NJ.com
Grade: B
What they're saying: "Bosa is a no-brainer pick and probably a future star. Though Samuel is probably a reach at his draft spot, we think Bosa is going to be great. Oh, and a punter in Round 4? Wow."

Niners Wire
Grade: C-
What they're saying: "They had chances in this year’s draft to add quality players at some of the positions that underperformed last year, and they passed in favor of depth. Perhaps it all works out, but for now it’s a pretty big gamble."

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