The 2019 NFL Draft significantly shaped the Kyle Shanahan era for the San Francisco 49ers. The draft class left its mark on the team’s identity. Only one player from that draft remains.
Finding Greenlaw in the Fifth Round
A fifth-round linebacker joined with the guy they took the year prior to make a tandem not unlike Patrick Willis and Navarro Bowman.
The Race to Draft Nick Bosa
The 49ers’ journey to the 2019 draft involved a race to secure the first overall pick. After Jimmy Garoppolo’s knee injury in 2018, the team faced the possibility of drafting first overall. Ohio State defensive end Nick Bosa was the obvious choice for the first pick.
The Arizona Cardinals, led by Steve Wilks, complicated matters. Despite having a worse record, the Cardinals managed to win twice against the 49ers in 2018. The 49ers finished with four wins, dropping them to the second overall pick.
The Cardinals hired Kliff Kingsbury, who made it clear he wanted Kyler Murray. Arizona selected Murray first overall, allowing the San Francisco 49ers to draft Nick Bosa.
Bosa’s Immediate Impact
Bosa quickly became the centerpiece of the 49ers’ pass rush. He also became one of the most dominant edge rushers in football. Offensive game plans revolved around slowing him down.
The first-round pick changed the defense overnight. Even in 2025, before his season ended early, Bosa showed exactly why. He appeared in three games and helped seal late wins in two of them. Then came the gut punch in Week 3 — a torn ACL that ended his season. This guy changed the 49ers’ defense.
Deebo Samuel’s Unique Role
With their next pick, Kyle Shanahan selected Deebo Samuel, a player he had gotten to know at the Senior Bowl.
Samuel became one of the most unique offensive weapons seen in years. The “wide back” role became a defining feature of the Shanahan offense almost immediately. Defenders knew he was coming and still struggled to stop him.
Samuel eventually moved on from San Francisco and was traded to the Washington Commanders. Still, his impact on the offense remains obvious whenever you look back at th