Evaluators weren't kind to the San Francisco 49ers while grading the team's most recent draft class. Some of that involved the Niners not owning a selection until the third round. Analysts were also critical of the 49ers using a third-round pick on a kicker.
Still, San Francisco entered the 2023 NFL Draft with one of the league's most talented rosters. The team has reached the NFC Championship Game in three of the last four seasons and is regularly considered a Super Bowl contender despite never-ending questions at quarterback.
Pro Football Focus released its post-draft power rankings, and the 49ers still find themselves in the top three. Although, that No. 3 placement is a one-spot drop from the analytics site's pre-draft power rankings, when the "biggest question for the 49ers is who their starting quarterback will be."
That question hasn't exactly been answered over the past two weeks, with Trey Lance and Sam Darnold still expected to compete to be the Week 1 starter should rehabbing Brock Purdy not be fully cleared in time. What has been answered is what the team would do in the draft.
San Francisco drafted nine players and added several undrafted free agents to fill out the roster. While the 49ers ranked above the Philadelphia Eagles in the previous power ranking, the two teams swapped spots in the latest version.
Pro Football Focus names cornerback Darrell Luter Jr., one of the team's two fifth-round picks, as the biggest impact player from the draft.
"The 49ers needed backup linebackers and cornerbacks after losing Azeez Al-Shaair, Emmanuel Moseley and Samson Ebukam this offseason," wrote Amelia Probst and Arjun Menon. "Drafting Darrell Luter Jr., Dee Winters and Jalen Graham may fill those gaps — particularly Luter, who allowed a 27% completion percentage in 2021."
That number jumped to 51 percent in 2022, with Luter being credited for surrendering three touchdowns. His coverage grade dropped from an impressive 86.2 in 2021 to 66.2 in 2022.
Where does the rest of the NFC West fall within this latest power rankings? You have to scroll far down the list to find the next team—the Seattle Seahawks—at No. 16. At the bottom of the ranking sit the Los Angeles Rams at No. 30 and the Arizona Cardinals in last place at No. 32.
