Former NFL offensive lineman Geoff Schwartz has criticized the San Francisco 49ers' front office for what he describes as poor drafting over the past four years, suggesting that the team's roster issues extend beyond recurring injury problems.
During an appearance on "First Things First," Schwartz stated that the 49ers have "drafted very poorly for four years now," and that "none of these guys are any impact players."
The criticism points to several draft classes, beginning in 2021 when the 49ers traded three future first-round picks to select Trey Lance with the No. 3 overall pick. Lance started four games before being traded to the Dallas Cowboys. The team later found its current starting quarterback, Brock Purdy, with the final pick of the 2022 NFL Draft.
Schwartz specifically highlighted several draft selections as misses. He mentioned third-year wide receiver Ricky Pearsall, who has amassed 67 receptions for 928 yards in his first two seasons but has been hampered by health issues, including knee surgery that will sideline him for the upcoming season. Second-year defensive end Mykel Williams recorded 20 tackles and one sack in nine games last season before tearing his ACL, and is not expected to be ready for Week 1.
"So these guys start getting hurt, which they’re getting hurt as they get older; there’s no one to backfill. There’s just no one there," Schwartz said. "I think about the 49ers’ draft picks, and I’m like, ‘Who are the dudes? Who are the dudes right now?’ "
ESPN analyst Mel Kiper Jr. also previously graded the 49ers' 2026 draft as the league's worst after they traded out of their Day 1 pick. The team selected wide receiver De’Zhaun Stribling with the No. 33 pick. While considered a "reach" by many analysts, Stribling has reportedly impressed in training camp and had seven receptions for 63 yards in the team's Week 1 preseason game.
Other notable draft selections mentioned include edge rusher Romello Height and running back Kaelon Black from the third round of the 2026 draft, who were also perceived by some as being taken too early. Kiper Jr. wrote that general manager John Lynch "went off the board to get the guys he wanted, often way ahead of where they were valued."