The 49ers entered the 2020 NFL Draft with seven picks and a few glaring holes to address. They came away with five picks and some big-time prospects, while a franchise icon retired and a seven-time Pro Bowler was acquired.
There were plenty of things to like about the 49ers' five-player draft class. But not every pick is perfect.
Here are how some experts view the 49ers' haul.
Stay in the game with the latest updates on your beloved Bay Area and California sports teams! Sign up here for our All Access Daily newsletter.
Chad Reuter, NFL.com
Grade: B+
Analysis: "GM John Lynch didn't wait very long to find DeForest Buckner's replacement along the D-line, selecting Kinlaw at No. 14 overall. He addressed the team's receiver need later in Round 1 when he traded up six spots for Aiyuk. The deal for the Arizona State receiver, along with past trades for veterans Dee Ford and Emmanuel Sanders, sapped the Niners of any second-, third- or fourth-round selections.
Moving a fifth-round pick and 2021 third-round pick for Pro Bowl left tackle Trent Williams, who's expected to take over for the retiring Joe Staley, makes a strong offensive line even stronger."
Any Benoit, Sports Illustrated
San Francisco 49ers
Find the latest San Francisco 49ers news, highlights, analysis and more with NBC Sports Bay Area and California.
Grade: A-
Analysis: "In a technical sense, a variety of trades left the Niners with just two meaningful draft picks (both first rounders), but that’s not a bad thing when you’re a defending conference champion and do not have many weaknesses to correct. Plus, if you count ex-Washington left tackle Trent Williams as part of this class (he was acquired for a 2020 fifth-rounder and 2021 third-rounder, and will replace the retired Joe Staley), it’s a top-heavy haul of talent."
Mel Kiper Jr., ESPN
Grade: B-
Analysis: "What keeps this in the B range is that the 49ers were able to use picks to get left tackle Trent Williams in a trade with Washington, and it cost them only a fifth-rounder this year and next year's third-rounder."
Pro Football Focus staff
Grade: B+
Analysis: "Moving back one pick to take Kinlaw at No. 14 with players like Jerry Jeudy and CeeDee Lamb on the board may not have been the optimal decision, but it’s not as if they reached. Kinlaw was the top interior defender and the 13th-ranked player overall on PFF’s Big Board."
Vinnie Iyer, Sporting News
Grade: A-
Analysis: "The 49ers knew this draft wasn’t one meant for volume and also knew they had to get immediate rookie replacements for DeForest Buckner (Kinlaw) and Emmanuel Sanders (Aiyuk). They also jumped on the trade for Trent Williams with Joe Staley retiring and were able to get rid of two superfluous offensive players, Matt Breida and Marquise Goodwin, for extra picks. McKivitz and Woerner were solid depth picks. Jennings may end up being a final-pick steal."
[49ERS INSIDER PODCAST: Listen to the latest episode]