49ers draft grades: A “C” grade is the trend for the 2026 draft class

TL;DR

The San Francisco 49ers received a 'C' grade from fans for their 2026 draft class, with 34% of respondents supporting this rating. The draft was considered shallow, and while some players may develop into starters, immediate impact is uncertain.

Key points

49ers received a 'C' grade from fans for the 2026 draft class
34% of respondents supported the 'C' grade
Draft considered shallow with limited standout players
Some players may develop into starters by 2027
Overall fan sentiment was mixed regarding the draft class

San Francisco 49ersNFL Draft 2026

PITTSBURGH, PENNSYLVANIA - APRIL 22: A general view of the San Francisco 49ers sign in the tunnel during the NFL football draft at Acrisure Stadium on April 22, 2026 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Michael Owens/Getty Images) | Getty Images *Welcome to SB Nation Reacts, a survey of fans across the NFL. Throughout the year, we ask questions of the most plugged-in Niners fans and fans across the country. Sign up here to participate in the weekly emailed surveys.* We asked for grades, and you delivered. On Saturday, following the 2026 NFL Draft, we asked you to grade the 49ers’ draft class. The poll is closing, and this is where things stand: ` This draft generated polarizing opinions on social media, and not much has changed with our survey. The “C” grade wins with 34%. There wasn’t much of a margin as “D” was 29%. The only grade that didn’t trend into double digits was “A”. As I said when we discussed the survey, this wasn’t a deep draft for a large number of reasons. After giving it some time, I gave the 49ers a “B” grade as the players they took appear to be system fits, even if they were reaches. They are also all players who can be terrific with some development. Nothing here screams a Day 1 Pro Bowler when the season begins. If these players can develop and put in the work, they can find starting spots in 2027. It still remains a mystery how this will work out. In the comments, many of you gave a “C” grade with expectations/hopes that it could eventually become a B. Cryo139er had a breakdown of it and went with the “C” grade.

Some of you weren’t too keen on giving a grade at all, knowing this class will need time to develop. Many of you said the class needed three years: BigNerd gave the draft an overall “D,” but had varying grades for each day that led to his final grade: As I said, at the end of the day, who knows how this will pan out? Several 49ers picks became instant starters, as dartdart pointed out: *Check out**, the official**partner of SB Nation.*

Q&A

What grade did fans give the 49ers for the 2026 draft class?

Fans gave the 49ers a 'C' grade, which was the most common response at 34%.

Why was the 2026 NFL draft considered shallow for the 49ers?

The draft was deemed shallow due to various factors, leading to limited standout prospects.

When can we expect to see the 2026 draft picks become starters for the 49ers?

The 2026 draft picks may take time to develop, with expectations for potential starting roles by 2027.