McDonald: John Lynch's straightforward approach, the NFC West draftees and Day 2 watch list
SANTA CLARA — As the first round of the NFL Draft came to a close Thursday night, it became clear that 49ers general manager John Lynch did something unusual when he held the team’s pre-draft press conference when the week began.
The 49ers, Lynch said, had fewer than 20 players with first-round grades. They were picking at No. 27. Logic dictated that trading back to accumulate more picks was a possibility if not a probability.
And that’s exactly what happened. Lynch was telling the truth, forgoing much of a smokescreen, it turned out. Trading back removed a lot of drama, but was the prudent way to go.
The 49ers swung two trades to get out of the first round, first moving back from No. 27 to 30 and then from No. 30 to 33 while picking up additional picks in subsequent rounds.
“There were a few players that we would have taken had they been there,” Lynch said. “That didn’t happen.”
With only six picks going in and a cupboard bare of first-round possibilities, trading up didn’t make much sense in terms of adding depth to the roster.
And let’s face it, getting the 49ers out of the first round is not necessarily a bad thing because it’s not like they’ve covered themselves in glory when it comes to first-round picks in recent years.
It’s conceivable the 49ers might not pick at No. 33 either, although it’s more likely they’ve targeted a specific player who will be expected to be an instant contributor.
“We’re always open for business,” Lynch said. “We have a good idea of where we’re going and I am looking forward to that.”
The few names the 49ers would have considered had they been there at No. 27 will remain a secret. They were never going to have a shot at edge rushers such as David Bailey (No. 2 overall to the Jets), Arvill Reese (No. 5 to the Giants and Rueben Bain (No. 15 to Tampa Bay).
The 49ers were likely tempted by Akheem Mesidor and Malachi Lawrence, but they went No. 22 and No. 23 to the Los Angeles Chargers and Dallas Cowboys, respectively.
“They didn’t run out till a couple picks before we picked,” Lynch said. “We say a couple, a couple that we realistically thought would get to where we were. Now there were some guys earlier that we would have been thrilled to have, but we had a really good idea that they were going to be gone.”
Cornerback Chris Johnson (No. 27 to Miami) and wide receiver Omar Cooper Jr. (No. 30 to the Jets) apparently were not, and when Seattle wrapped up the first round by taking running back Jadarian Price of Notre Dame, it cleared the decks for the 49ers at No. 33.
Rest assured the 49ers weren’t considering a running back at No. 32.
Trading out of the first round also rids the 49ers of having a first-round pick with a fifth-year option. Second-round deals are for four years, and there is no drama with signing players to avoid the option or declining the option altogether.
How the division shaped up
A running back at No. 3? That’s Jeremiah Love of Notre Dame, who went to the Arizona Cardinals at No. 3 with the hope he can be a Christian McCaffrey-like presence for Arizona, coached by former 49ers assistant Mike LaFleur.
As for the Los Angeles Rams at No. 13, they selected quarterback Ty Simpson of Alabama for 38-year-old Matthew Stafford, the reigning MVP. That means two things for the 49ers: Either Simpson doesn’t play and the Rams added no help for a first-round draft pick. Or Simpson plays because Stafford has broken down physically.
There’s no other way to look at it other than a win-win.
“Ty Simpson is a good football player and I think there was a lot made as to where he would go and what teams would do,” Lynch said. “It probably surprised everybody, but one thing I’ve learned over the years is that with quarterbacks, people will do those types of things and they certainly did, so we’ll see.”
Even if Price didn’t make sense for the 49ers, he did for Seattle given a torn ACL sustained by Zach Charbonnet in the playoffs last year and the free agent defection of Super Bowl MVP Kenneth Walker III to the Kansas City Chiefs.
If all goes according to plan, the 49ers will have three selections Friday and four more Saturday. Plans can change, as was in evidence Thursday night.
Edge players to watch Saturday
Some names the 49ers may considering if they’re seeking another edge rusher to improve on their puny total of 20 sacks in 2025 (I said the 49ers need an edge rusher and I’m sticking with it):
Clemson’s T.J. Parker
Texas A&M’s Cashius Howell
Oklahoma’s R. Mason Thomas
Missouri’s Zion Young
Illinois’ Gabe Jacus (Cam Inman’s first-round pick to the 49ers)
Michigan’s Derrick Moore
Mac Jones still a 49er
Remember when the 49ers dealing quarterback Mac Jones to supplement the draft was all the rage among professional and amateur analysts. Jones was last seen chugging a beer (or a water) in a box at the Giants-Dodgers game and isn’t going anywhere unless the offer comes at the top half of the second round.
Asked if he expected Jones to still be on the roster when the season starts, coach Kyle Shanahan said, “I’d be surprised if he’s not. It also really surprised me today that no one offered something.”
Remaining picks barring trades
Second round, No. 33 overall
Second round, No. 58 overall
Third round, No. 90 overall
Fourth round: Nos. 127, 133, 139 overall
Fifth round: No. 179 overall
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This story was originally published April 24, 2026 at 5:44 AM.