The 49ers traded three first-round picks in 2021 to move up to number three in the draft to select Trey Lance. The move is still highly criticized three years later, especially considering the 49ers landed Brock Purdy as the last pick in the following draft. However, the 2021 draft class was solid for San Francisco, selecting Aaron Banks, Jaylon Moore, Deommodore Lenoir, Talanoa Hufanga, and Elijah Mitchell after the Lance selection.
Before 2024, the 2021 draft was the last successful draft the 49ers had. 2022 and 2023 were a couple of stinkers of draft classes, with the 49ers not having a first-round pick.