NFL Draft hindsight: Which player should the 49ers have drafted?

TL;DR

The article discusses which players the San Francisco 49ers should have drafted instead of their actual selections. It suggests alternatives like Jude Bowry, Keith Abney, Emmett Johnson, and Zakee Wheatley.

Key points

San Francisco 49ers' draft selections are analyzed.
Jude Bowry is recommended as a better choice than Kaelon Black.
Keith Abney and Emmett Johnson are suggested alternatives for other positions.
Zakee Wheatley is preferred over Jaden Dugger for safety.

Jude BowryKeith AbneyEmmett JohnsonZakee Wheatley

Boston, MA - November 30: Boston College RB Kye Robichaux and OL Jude Bowry celebrate during the second quarter after Robichaux's touchdown. (Photo by Barry Chin/The Boston Globe via Getty Images) | Boston Globe via Getty Images For as much talk about the San Francisco 49ers reaching, there wasn’t enough about which players they should have taken instead of the ones they did. We’ll do that today. The NFL Draft has come and gone. Sometimes, it’s not about who you drafted, but who you passed up. It’s the beauty of hindsight. Everybody looks smart once you know how the players turned out. We’ll do it a week removed from the NFL Draft so we can revisit these answers this time next year. You can use any round, or do multiple if you please. You are the general manager, after all. The only rule is that you can’t make any trades.

Which player should the 49ers have drafted?

**My answer:** Instead of Kaelon Black, I would’ve selected Boston College offensive tackle Jude Bowry. During the pre-draft process, I noted that Bowry was a preseason first-round candidate. We’d be banking on that talent and his athleticism to potentially contribute as a starter this year and be Trent Williams’ eventual replacement down the line. Then, instead of Carver Willis and Ephesians Prysock, I would’ve snagged Arizona State CB Keith Abney and Nebraska RB Emmett Johnson–two players who went in the fifth round. And in the fifth round, I would’ve selected Zakee Wheatley, a safety from Penn State, over Jaden Dugger, because I feel like Wheatley has a better opportunity of beating out the players in front of him as opposed to Dugger, and I’m still getting value and help on special teams. So, I’m swapping multiple picks by addressing the secondary without sacrificing too much. How about you? What would you have changed?

Q&A

Who are the players the 49ers should have drafted instead?

The article suggests the 49ers should have drafted Jude Bowry, Keith Abney, Emmett Johnson, and Zakee Wheatley.

What position does Jude Bowry play?

Jude Bowry is an offensive tackle from Boston College.

Why is hindsight important in evaluating NFL Draft picks?

Hindsight allows teams and fans to assess the impact of players' performances after the draft, revealing missed opportunities.