Nobody invokes draft ire quite like this Rams rival, 49ers GM John Lynch

Even as ESPN draft guru Mel Kiper continues to spout vitriol over the Los Angeles Rams 'reaching' for Alabama quarterback Ty Simpson (which history proves is never a bad thing), the San Francisco 49ers are getting blasted on the internet. While local reporters continue to bask in the glow of general manager Les Snead's success, Niners beat reporters are not so fond of general manager John Lynch's draft record.

And they are letting him have it with both barrels.

As Warren Sharp terms it in a recent article:

"The 49ers are the WORST in the NFL at drafting, and local reporters have noticed."

Warren Sharp

That's pretty harsh, even for a divisional rival.

Even as the 49ers continue to compete in the postseason, Sharp makes some valid points. Had San Fran had a more discerning eye for team fits, they may have added to their jewelry case in recent years. But San Fran continues to be the NFL's version of always-a-bridesmaid-never-a-bride, and that has worn thin.

49ers spend draft picks like a kid spends lunch money

There is almost a level of disdain among NFL draft analysts for LA Rams general manager Les Snead, whose casual interest in trading draft picks for players became viral when the team won Super Bowl LVI.

But compare Snead's ability to turn picks into players like veteran quarterback Matthew Stafford, outside linebacker Von Miller, and cornerback Trent McDuffie to John Lynch's willingness to spend picks on draft busts.

Need some examples? Here you go:

• Round 3 PK Jake Moody (2023) – expected at 275, taken at 99 | This was a shocker when it happened, and nothing that followed did anything to justify the pick.
• Round 1 QB Trey Lance (2021) - while many draft boards got this one wrong, the 49ers were hit with the double whammy of trading three first-round picks (2021, 2022, 2023) and a 2022 third-round pick to the Miami Dolphins for an opportunity to select quarterback Trey Lance. Lance would only compete in San Francisco for two seasons.
• Round 3 TE Cameron Latu (2023) – expected at 188, taken at 101 | After an injury, he never played a single down for the 49ers. He was subsequently released.
• Round 4 WR Jordan Watkins (2025) – expected at 304, taken at 138 | Wide receiver Jordan Watkins had plenty of space to carve out a role for himself in 2025. But he finished the season with appearing in four games, and catching two passes for 26 yards.

There are many, many more examples of this exercise in futility that 49ers fans have come to know as the annual NFL draft.

I suppose there is a lesson here, as Lynch does seem to know how to milk the most from other teams when San Francisco is prepared to part ways with a player. Les Snead always seems to buy high and sell low, while Lynch seems to buy low and sell high. But as long as that Niners GM keeps forcing fans and beat reporters to scratch their heads on draft day, it all seems to work out in LA's favor.

As always, thanks for reading.

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