San Francisco 49ers' worst draft picks during the John Lynch era

The San Francisco 49ers made careful decisions in their draft selections as they looked to address the positions that needed depth during the 2026 NFL Draft.

General manager John Lynch and company did their homework and went for the best player available at their needed positions. Grading their 2026 draft selections, the 49ers earned a C+/B- for their decisions.

They took Mississippi wide receiver De'Zhaun Stribling in the second round, a pick that former 49ers Pro Bowl safety Donte Whitner didn't agree with, but has since walked back.

"I can admit that I was wrong about this kid. Kyle Shanahan's offense is in the past, and having guys like Julio Jones, Brandon Aiyuk, Deebo Samuel, a lot of these guys, primarily, was a one trick pony," Whitner said on an episode of The Grit Code podcast. "Deebo Samuel, yards after the catch. Brandon Aiyuk, downfield, throws. Julio Jones, downfield. He never really had a guy that was a triple threat."

He added: "I mean a guy that can run past you, catch the deep ball right, catch the ball yards have to catch, give you a move, take it to the house, and then a guy that could catch it, put a move on you lower, hit the (expletive) boom on your truck, stick and run you to (expletive) over. He's never really had that. The extra credit part of it is, have you seen his blocking tape? If this translates to the NFL, he's gonna (expletive) give defensive backs hell."

Not bad praise for a second-round pick, and not bad for a pick by Lynch.

Sometimes players translate to the NFL and sometimes they don't, or at least not initially. Lynch became 49ers general manager in 2017 and was promoted to team president of football operations in 2023. During his San Francisco tenure, Lynch has made a number of great draft selections - especially outside the first round - including George Kittle, Brock Purdy, Fred Warner, Dre Greenlaw, and even Samuel and Aiyuk.

The players they've drafted have contributed to two Super Bowl appearances. But what about those Lynch drafted and didn't exactly pan out?

Here's a look back at the worst 49ers draft picks of the Lynch era:

Worst 49ers draft picks in John Lynch era

This isn't a ranking of the worst picks because let's face it, making it to the NFL, let alone being picked at all and carrying out one's dreams is quite the achievement. However, this is a simple list of picks Lynch probably wishes he could have back.

Solomon Thomas, DE, third overall (2017)

Solomon Thomas was picked by the 49ers out of Stanford, possibly because of a relationship with Lynch, given both played for the Cardinal.

In four seasons with San Francisco, Thomas tallied 95 total tackles, 73 solo and 22 assisted, with 16 tackles for loss and a fumble recovery. He played 48 games and started in 30. But even if that's Lynch's guy, and you consider the pick panned out, the list of names the 49ers could have had in 2017 include running back Leonard Fournette, safety Jamal Adams, quarterback Patrick Mahomes, linebacker T.J. Watt, offensive tackle Garett Bolles, or even their current running back Christian McCaffrey.

Mike McGlinchey, OT, ninth overall (2018)

Mike McGlinchey was a grab because they needed to beef their offensive line. Understandable. However, McGlinchey was out in four years, but he's a consistent starter in the league. He's played and started all 115 career games.

The 6-foot-8 unit out of Notre Dame wasn't a bad pick, but here's who came after: safety Minkah Fitzpatrick, defensive tackle Vita Vea, cornerback Jaire Alexander and quarterback Lamar Jackson.

Javon Kinlaw, DT, 14th overall (2020)

The 49ers had a good draft in 2019, selecting Nick Bosa with the second pick of the first round and Deebo Samuel early in the second round. So you'd think they'd follow that up that successful effort in 2020.

Kinlaw was selected and the following picks could have changed the 49ers franchise. Here's who else was on the board: cornerback A.J. Terrell, and wide receivers CeeDee Lamb and Justin Jefferson.

Honorable mention would be Brandon Aiyuk, but not for the reason you think. Sure, it hasn't panned out with the recent antics and souring relationship with Lynch and head coach Kyle Shanahan, but Aiyuk is mentioned here because of who was after him, too.

Early second-round receivers Tee Higgins and Michael Pittman Jr. probably could have been taken at No. 25, instead of Aiyuk or Jauan Jennings, who they took with a seventh-round pick.

Trey Lance, QB, third overall (2021)

This one is self-explanatory. Albeit, Trey Lance looked like a solid dual-threat prospect in college. Coming out of North Dakota State, Lance was a player who Lynch was considering to be a franchise game-changer.

The list of players the 49ers could have drafted is maddening enough to pull your hair out. As if 49ers faithful weren't already annoyed, San Francisco could've picked up Justin Fields or current backup Mac Jones in this draft. But if quarterback wasn't on their minds, the 49ers skipped out on their receiver choice of Jaylen Waddle, Ja'Marr Chase or DeVonta Smith. They missed their choice of defensive backs Jaycee Horn or Patrick Surtain II. They missed the likes of Micah Parsons, too. Generational fumble.

50 BIGGEST DRAFT BUSTS OF LAST 50 YEARS See where 49ers' selection of Trey Lance ranks

Practically, any pick since 2022

Lynch has made some picks that have panned out to help the 49ers but not everyone feels that way. Sports Illustrated staff writer Grant Cohn believes that practically every pick Lynch has made since 2022 was a questionable decision.

Take a look:

Questionable 49ers draft picks since 2022 and the players they could have had instead.

Drake Jackson -- James Cook, Nik Bonitto, Abraham Lucas.
Ty Davis Price -- Kerby Joseph, Leo Chenal
Danny Gray -- Cade Otten, Coby Bryant
Spencer Burford -- Zach Tom, Isaiah Likely, Cobie...

- Grant Cohn (@grantcohn) May 5, 2026

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: What are the worst 49ers draft picks since 2017?