The 49ers specialize in selecting players that perfectly fit the vision for where they're going as a team. Sadiq is a special talent and will have an All-Pro TE to emulate in George Kittle.

Unlike most general managers, we are going to be honest. The board did not go our way, the seven players we wanted were all gone and we panicked a little and took who we guessed was the best value. Better than taking a defensive back or a raw offensive tackle, right? Parker has the length, power and technique to contribute right away, and while the three-year starter didn't have a great 2025 season, he did show very well at the Senior Bowl. He is very good against the run and had 21.5 career sacks. This pick makes it easier to waive Bryce Huff and save some more salary-cap space to sign an offensive lineman and receiver. Actually, turns out this was a great pick.

I could be wishcasting here, but I've watched Denzel Boston at Washington the last two years and have felt all along that he's a player who would flourish in a Kyle Shanahan offense, so why not just put him in Kyle Shanahan's offense? He's a big body with fantastic hands and is a precise route runner who thrives on the kind of timing routes the 49ers utilize.

Best Pick: I think fourth-round pick defensive tackle C.J. West will prove to be a steal. He is a power player who can hold up against the run and keep the 49ers linebackers clean.

Worst Pick: I didn't love the pick of Alfred Collins in the second. I think there were better options inside available when they picked him. I wanted to see more when I watched his tape.

The Skinny: It was clear the 49ers wanted to rebuild their defensive line to go with Nick Bosa. They did a nice job of that by taking Mykel Williams in the first and getting defensive tackles from Collins in the second and West from Indiana in the fourth. Consider it rebuilt. Fifth-round running back Jordan James should find a role as a backup.

Top needs entering the draft: Defensive tackle, offensive tackle, guard, cornerback and edge rusher

This is a crucial draft for the 49ers, who are teetering on a potential rebuild. Yes, injuries decimated their roster on the way to a disastrous 2024 season, but they lost several starters this offseason, including guard Aaron Banks, cornerback Charvarius Ward, linebacker Dre Greenlaw, safety Talanoa Hufanga and wide receiver Deebo Samuel Sr. Those are impact players who leave big shoes to fill. San Francisco has to figure out how to build its roster around a looming mega-extension for quarterback Brock Purdy.

General manager John Lynch entered Round 1 with 11 picks to play around with, including extra selections in the third, fourth and fifth rounds. Could he come out of the weekend with impact players?

Well, he certainly tried to help his defense. Lynch used his first five picks on that side of the ball, only the second time the 49ers have done that in the common draft era (since 1967). Three of those five made my list of favorite prospects ahead of the draft: linebacker Nick Martin, cornerback Upton Stout and defensive tackle CJ West. Martin and West were solid value picks, while Stout went a little high. All three are fun players who can make an impact, even if they're not likely to be rookie starters.

Jordan Watkins is my 27th-ranked wideout, while Jordan James is my 23rd-ranked running back. San Francisco took both earlier than I would have liked. Quarterback Kurtis Rourke is an interesting flier in Round 7. I was impressed by his decision-making and his timing on throws when going through his tape. I wouldn't be shocked if he made the roster.

This class likely will hinge on whether Mykel Williams can become a force on the other side of Nick Bosa. The 49ers ranked 28th in pressure rate last season (27.7%) and have to figure out ways to take pressure off their defensive backs. Williams is extremely explosive, but his modest sack totals (five in 2024) scared away some teams. Can San Francisco figure out how to get the best out of him on every snap? He has elite upside.

I like a few of the players Lynch took, but the value was questionable. Again, that matters in an exercise like this because you want to see organizations maneuver the board and add extra capital.