SANTA CLARA — They could have done better.
With the ninth pick in the NFL Draft, the 49ers selected offensive tackle Mike McGlinchey from Notre Dame. McGlinchey is a talented right tackle who could start for 10 years and earn a Pro Bowl berth or two, but he’s not the ninth-best player in the draft. He’s closer to the 16th-best player in the draft. The 49ers should have traded down for him.
At pick No. 9, the 49ers should have taken safety Derwin James, defensive back Minkah Fitzpatrick or Tremaine Edmunds. They would have been better picks than McGlinchey.