Former 49ers GM defends team's controversial NFL draft decision
The San Francisco 49ers traded down twice in the first round of the 2026 NFL draft and took a wide receiver with the first pick of the second round.
While the San Francisco 49ers were originally supposed to make their first selection in the 2026 NFL draft at No. 27 overall, general manager John Lynch decided to trade back twice and out of the first round completely. San Francisco ended up taking Ole Miss wide receiver De'Zhaun Stribling, and they used their other gained selections on Indiana running back Kaelon Black (No.
90) and Kansas offensive tackle Enrqiue Cruz Jr. (No. 179).
With the picks that the 49ers traded, the Miami Dolphins took San Diego State cornerback Chris Johnson (No. 27) and Pittsburgh safety Kyle Louis (No. 138), and the New York Jets took Indiana wide receiver Omar Cooper Jr.
(No. 30). San Francisco has been heavily criticized for the trades and the selection of Stribling, but former 49ers general manager Scot McCloughan (2008-09) is coming to Lynch's defense.