Did the 49ers’ draft plans change as a result of their Super Bowl loss?

It was expected that the San Francisco 49ers will select someone on the offensive line this year.

 

 

Almost all mock drafts and analyst selections included an offensive lineman. The 49ers, on the other hand, defied the crowd by taking an entirely unanticipated turn. With choice No. 31, they ultimately selected wide receiver Ricky Pearsall in the first round.

Nobody could have predicted a wide receiver for the 49ers in the first round of the draft, or even at all, but they didn’t stop there. When they selected Jacob Cowing in the fourth round, they ultimately doubled up at the position. Thus, in this round, the 49ers full-court pressed the wide receiver position.

Clearly, they see it as a need, but why? They have Deebo Samuel, Brandon Aiyuk, and Jauan Jennings. Plus, Kyle Shanahan can scheme a lot of receivers open anyways. You have to wonder, did the Super Bowl loss influence the 49ers’ draft plans?

It would make sense. Samuel was locked up by every Kansas City Chiefs’ defensive back in that game. I think what that game showed Shanahan is that he actually can’t scheme that much open if his receiver isn’t adequate at route running.

So, by drafting Pearsall and Cowing, the 49ers are committing to receivers who can shake their defenders at will. That is what Pearsall and Cowing bring to the table. They have excellent route running that already surpasses Samuel’s.

No longer will Shanahan have to wonder if a receiver will get open because with a stable of Aiyuk, Jennings, Pearsall, and Cowing they will almost always get open. Of course, the wide receiver position didn’t have a long-term plan either, so there is that aspect for drafting them.

But I think the Super Bowl loss definitely had at least some influence for why the 49ers drafted not one, but two receivers who are amazing route runners.