Overview
- Shanahan, who spoke Thursday on The Rich Eisen Show, said Indiana running back Kaelon Black was the 49ers’ second-ranked player at the position.
- By elevating Black, the comment implied San Francisco rated him above Seahawks first-rounder Jadarian Price, adding a wrinkle to the NFC West rivalry.
- Black did not receive a scouting combine invite and many projected him for Day 3, but Shanahan said the club graded him as a third-rounder and took him at No. 90 to avoid losing him.
- The coach detailed a plan to trade back because they saw the draft’s strength in the late second and third rounds, finishing with eight selections and a 2027 sixth-round pick they could spend at the trade deadline.
- Outside graders questioned the class as a series of reaches, with NFL.com slotting it 30th with a C-, while GM John Lynch said he only cares about consensus inside the building.