49ers drafting strategy questioned over lack of impact players

The San Francisco 49ers’ recent drafting strategy has drawn sharp criticism from former NFL offensive lineman Geoff Schwartz, who contends the team lacks sufficient impact players. Schwartz made the assessment during a Thursday appearance on the radio program “First Things First,” attributing the roster’s deficiencies to poor decision-making with first-round picks over the past four years.

Schwartz argued that the team’s approach has failed to produce the talent necessary to sustain a competitive roster. “The problem, besides the injuries, is that they have drafted very poorly for four years now,” Schwartz said. He further noted that the remainder of the roster lacks players capable of making a significant difference on the field.

The criticism follows the 49ers’ elimination in the Divisional Round of the playoffs after finishing the 2025 regular season with a 12-5 record. The team placed third in the NFC West and went 1-1 in the postseason before their exit. Schwartz pointed to recurring injury issues as a compounding factor, suggesting the team has no one to backfill players as they age and sustain injuries.

To illustrate his point, Schwartz cited third-year wide receiver Ricky Pearsall and second-year defensive end Mykel Williams as examples of first-round selections that have yet to deliver the desired impact. “So these guys start getting hurt, which they’re getting hurt as they get older; there’s no one to backfill. There’s just no one there,” Schwartz said.

Pearsall has featured in 13 games across two seasons, recording 67 receptions for 928 yards. Williams, meanwhile, recorded 20 tackles and one sack in nine games last season before suffering an ACL injury. Schwartz’s comments highlight a growing concern regarding the depth and reliability of the 49ers’ current roster construction.