49ers News: Maybe this draft class is growing on me

PITTSBURGH, PENNSYLVANIA - APRIL 24: Former San Francisco 49ers player Andy Lee announces a pick Round Two of the 2026 NFL Draft at Acrisure Stadium on April 24, 2026 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Lauren Leigh Bacho/Getty Images) | Getty Images Hutchinson: 49ers’ draft approach was same old, same old (paywall) “ Round 1, Pick 33: De’Zhaun Stribling, WR, Ole Miss: I don’t mind the Stribling pick. A lot of teams had him much higher than consensus boards.

I had him as a late second-round pick, but he wouldn’t have been available at 58. I don’t mind it, but it is rich, and the 49ers did ignore the likes of left guard Chase Bisontis. I’m fine with the pick, and he’s a great fit who gets to learn from a perfect mentor in Mike Evans, but he’s a guy whose main utility is blocking, and who won’t see most of his utility until next season.

Round 3, Pick 70: Romello Height, EDGE, Texas Tech: Outstanding selection. I wanted to mock Height to the 49ers, but I thought pick 58 was too early, and pick 87 (I mocked a trade down with the Dolphins — they did virtually the same trade, but got 90 instead) was too late. That was accurate.

They got a spring-loaded edge rusher to replace Bryce Huff who has outrageous pass rush upside, but will likely get wrecked in the run game. Round 3, Pick 90: Kaelon Black, RB, Indiana: I actually love Black for them. He was one of my guys.