The San Francisco 49ers have found significant success over the past four years, making the NFC Championship Game three times over that time frame, with Kyle Shanahan cementing him as a top-ten head coach in the NFL.
How have the 49ers been able to reach and sustain that level of success? Via the NFL Draft, where much of their top-level talent has originated from.
The 49ers have experienced their fair share of ups and downs in the first round of the draft, but have made up for it with a number of draft steals in later rounds.
Who have been the best draft picks for the 49ers in the Shanahan era, factoring in value, production, and where they were selected?
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5. WR Brandon Aiyuk
Factoring in value, I decided to leave star defensive end Nick Bosa off the list, given his draft placement, leaving me with Brandon Aiyuk at No. 5 on the list.
Aiyuk, drafted at No. 25 in the 2020 NFL Draft, has blossomed into a high-end wide receiver, posting his first 1,000-yard season in 2022, and taking over as San Francisco's top volume wideout.
Aiyuk's first-round draft status limits his placement on the list, but he's developed into a high-caliber talent after suffering through an inopportune first offseason with the 49ers due to the pandemic.
Improving statistically in every season, Aiyuk will look to eclipse the 1,000-yard marker for a second consecutive season, en route to a potential extension next offseason.
4. LB Dre Greenlaw
Drafted at No. 148 in the fifth round of the 2019 NFL Draft, Greenlaw has developed into a frontline starter at linebacker for the 49ers, capped off with a career year in 2022 that saw him play at a Pro Bowl-caliber level.
Greenlaw was entrenched in a rotation with Azeez Al-Shaair over the first few years of his career, but the 49ers went in his direction, inking the former fifth-rounder to a two-year extension last year, paving the way for his strong 2022 season.
Greenlaw works in cohesion with Fred Warner, and his athleticism and aggressiveness work well within the confines of the defense.
After controversially missing the Pro Bowl in 2022, Greenlaw will look to achieve the feat in the first year of his extension.
3. WR Deebo Samuel
Samuel was the second pick in a strong draft for the 49ers in 2019, getting selected at No. 36 after the team took Nick Bosa with the No. 2 pick.
Entering his fifth season in the NFL, it's safe to say Samuel has reached the expectations of a second-round pick, earning All-Pro honors in 2021, although injuries have hampered some of his production.
After his strong 2021 campaign, the renowned "wideback" signed a three-year, $71.25 million extension, and will look to return to that form in a bounce-back 2023 year.
Regardless, Samuel was drafted for his unique skillset and fit within the 49ers' offense, which has helped head coach Kyle Shanahan unleash different avenues with his playcalling.
2. LB Fred Warner
Selected with No. 70 in the third round of the 2018 NFL Draft, Warner was one of the initial building blocks for Kyle Shanahan and the 49ers, manning the defense at the middle linebacker spot.
Working with linebackers coach Johnny Holland and former defensive coordinator DeMeco Ryans, Warner has arguably developed into the best linebacker in the NFL, a tough feat for a player selected in the third round.
Warner, like many of his 49ers counterparts, signed a significant extension with the team, and continues to rack up All-Pro selections as he enters his prime.
1. TE George Kittle
Taken in Kyle Shanahan and John Lynch's first draft with the 49ers, George Kittle has been the best pick that the duo has made with the organization.
Selected with the No. 146 pick in the fifth round of the 2017 NFL Draft, Kittle emerged as a star tight end with a 1,377-yard season in 2018, and has consistently been an elite tight end since, barring some injury issues.
Kittle's fit with the team cannot be understated, given his significant value as a blocker in addition to his pass-catching prowess, making him arguably the best all-around tight end in the game.
