It’s crazy how fast the best-laid plans can fall apart — especially during draft night. For Kyle Shanahan and the 49ers, what seemed like a well-mapped strategy turned into a mad scramble thanks to a little bit of chaos nobody saw coming. And while fans were busy dreaming about fresh new talent, something behind the scenes had already shifted, throwing San Francisco’s plans out the window. And with George Kittle’s future quietly raising eyebrows, the night’s twists hit a little harder than usual.
Heading into the 2024 NFL Draft, the 49ers had a clear blueprint: find a solid offensive tackle early, plug the gaps, and keep their powerhouse team intact. But just like that, two key names vanished off the board right before their eyes, leaving the war room scrambling. It wasn’t just bad luck either — it was a gut-punch that forced Shanahan to rethink everything in a matter of minutes.
Coach Yac shared on X, quoting insider Matt Barrows, that the 49ers planned to grab an offensive tackle with their second pick in the third round. They even spent time scouting Caleb Rogers and Charles Grant, feeling good about nabbing one. But then, boom — the Raiders swooped in with back-to-back picks, stealing both linemen away. Barrows revealed, “The 49ers had a late pick in the third round and just before they got on the clock, the Raiders had two picks… I think the 49ers thought one of those guys was going to be there.” In a last-minute pivot, the Niners wound up drafting cornerback Upton Stout instead, not exactly part of the original playbook.
Matt Barrows believes the 49ers were going to select an OT with their second pick in the third round, but the Raiders took tackles with their two picks right in front of them:
“The 49ers had a late pick in the third round and just before they got on the clock, the Raiders had… pic.twitter.com/e7k8uWcTWK
— Coach Yac (@Coach_Yac) April 28, 2025
After getting blindsided, Shanahan and John Lynch had no choice but to reshuffle their entire approach for the night. It wasn’t just about missing a tackle; it shifted how the 49ers handled needs across the roster. Instead of bolstering Purdy’s protection early, they had to bet on future depth at other spots. And while some insiders have praised the front office for staying flexible, others wonder if the quick change could come back to bite them once the season heats up.
It’s not the first time draft night has thrown curveballs, but losing two prime targets like that? No doubt Shanahan felt like a passenger rather than the driver of his draft — all while Tom Brady and the Raiders quietly laughed from the rearview mirror. But with the draft chaos behind them, the 49ers might have an even bigger issue looming. And this one involves a fan favorite.
Are George Kittle’s exit rumors adding more pressure to the 49ers’ future plans?
If draft night wasn’t stressful enough, 49ers fans have another big concern looming over them — George Kittle‘s future. Reports have started to bubble up suggesting the franchise might eventually consider moving on from the Pro Bowl tight end, with the team’s financial puzzle growing trickier by the day. George Kittle’s name has been floated in potential future trade talks, especially with Brock Purdy’s next contract set to demand serious cap space.
While no immediate move seems close, the conversations hint that San Francisco is at least weighing life without some of their biggest stars. George Kittle has been one of the emotional anchors of the team, but at 30 and after battling injuries, the business side of the NFL might catch up sooner than expected.
Recent buzz suggests the team could be planning to quietly build depth behind Kittle at tight end, even if no obvious successor was grabbed early in this draft. After all, losing key offensive linemen only amplifies the concern about keeping Purdy safe, whether or not his star tight end is running routes downfield.
Shanahan now faces double trouble: balancing an aging core (Kittle, Trent Williams, etc.) while trying to infuse younger, cheaper talent into a roster built to win now. It’s a tightrope act, and moments like draft night reveal just how precarious it’s becoming for the 49ers to stay competitive without blowing up their salary cap.
For fans, it’s a tough pill to swallow. After all, the 49ers aren’t just trying to win — they’re trying to squeeze one more Super Bowl run out of this loaded, but expensive roster. Could the Raiders’ draft hijack be just the first domino in a much bigger shakeup for the 49ers?
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