People say hindsight is 20/20. “Can’t-miss” prospects end up as afterthoughts, and afterthoughts become hall of famers. The evaluation and draft process are fascinating. The NFL draft is the ultimate crapshoot. Let’s look back and choose the best draft picks from the 49ers’ past five drafts.
2023: Ji’Ayir Brown, S, Penn State
It took an injury to Talanoa Hufanga to push Brown into significant playing time, and there were growing pains, but Brown is very much the ball hawk and fast-playing player that his college career pointed to. Brown notched a pick on the biggest stage against the Chiefs and is incredibly mature and wise beyond his years.