The draft is now over and with that comes grading how teams did. These are my evaluations. What I am taking into consideration is the draft round and pick overall, players available at the time of the pick, and how they can impact the team. Remember that a bad draft grade doesn’t mean they won’t be anything in the league.
Round 1 pick 31: Ricky Pearsall, WR, Florida: At first glance, this pick makes no sense, but then you look at the Niner’s situation at the position. Deebo Samuel is getting paid at least $20 million for the next 2 years and is most likely getting shipped off after this upcoming season. Brandon Aiyuk is due for a contract next year, the same goes for Jauan Jennings. Ricky “Slick Rick” Pearsall has the YAC (Yards After Catch) ability the 49ers love in receivers and seems to be a better route runner than Deebo Samuel. I understand why this pick had to be done however, the talent left on the board that the 49ers could have had including at the Wide Receiver position would have benefited San Francisco more. I guess Kyle Shanahan and Co. are way higher on him than most.
Grade: B
Round 2 pick 64: Renardo Green, CB, FSU: A solid third Corner who can play the nickel position is something the 49ers have been missing ever since the departure of Jimmie Ward last off-season, and that’s why Renardo Green was drafted. Green would be a major improvement at the nickel position, allowing San Francisco’s #2 Corner (Deommodore Lenoir) to play outside. Renardo plays physically (maybe a bit too much for the average NFL Ref) and excels in man coverage. He locked up LSU’s Malik Nabers & Brian Thomas Jr., both first-round picks in this year’s draft.
Grade: B+
Round 3 pick 86: Dominick Puni, OL, Kansas: Niner fans can now rejoice as they were questioning the decision not to re-tool the Offensive Line all free agency. San Francisco finally selects someone who they have been needing on the Offensive Line. Dominick Puni is very versatile as he can play both guard and tackle at both left and right. He played tackle more than guard at Kansas, but I expect him to play guard for San Francisco. Dominick accumulated some impressive stats at Kansas, the most remarkable of which is not allowing any sacks the last 2 years at Kansas.
Grade: A+
Round 4 pick 124: Malik Mustapha, S, Wake Forest: It’s unknown how long former All-Pro Safety Talanoa Hufanga will be out when the season starts. So I believe the Niners drafted someone to fill his role as a box safety while either Hufanga is out or taking a few snaps off when active. Malik Mustapha had 327 total snaps in the box last season, his most by alignment per PFF. He is a bit on the smaller side for a box safety as he’s only 5’10 and 209 lbs. He missed very few tackles last season (11 missed). With this pick, Malik Mustapha fulfills a childhood dream as grew up a fan of the 49ers.
Grade: C+
Round 4 pick 129: Isaac Guerendo, RB, Louisville I felt this pick was inevitable after looking at Isaac Guerendo’s relative athletic score post-combine (99.7 out of 100) and looking at current RB2 Elijah Mitchell whose contract is up after this year. Even with Offensive Player of The Year Christian McCaffrey in the backfield, it doesn’t hurt to have a Plan B which is what the Niners got with Isaac Guerendo. Guerendo lit up the combine this year having a 4.33 40-yard dash (fastest among Running Backs) and having the best athletic out of all Running Backs core of a 99. Guerendo runs with both speed and power. I am excited to see what he does in Kyle Shanahan’s zone runs
Grade: A-
Round 4 pick 135: Jacob Cowing, WR, Arizona: San Francisco double dips on Wide Receiver and adds one more weapon for Purdy with Jacob Cowing. Cowing was a standout at Arizona as he had 90 receptions along with 13 touchdowns. I expect Jacob Cowing to play special teams, specifically at Return Man punts and kicks. He could be battling for a spot, but I don’t see him beating out Jennings or Pearsall for the WR3 spot.
Grade: C-
Round 6-215: Jarrett Kingston, OL, USC: This is some much-needed depth for the Offensive Line as it’s the most physically demanding position group in football. Just like third-round pick Dominick Puni, Jarret Kingston can play both guard and tackle on the left and right side of the line. According to Kingston in an interview with YouTuber InsideTroy, he states that due to his arm length, he will most likely play on the interior of the Offensive Line in the league. Only time will tell what Chris Foerster has for him in the future.
Grade: B+
Round 7-251: Tatum Bethune, LB, FSU: With the last pick in their draft the San Francisco 49ers take Linebacker Tatum Bethune out of FSU. At FSU he led the team in tackles with 70 of them. This is a good depth piece for the 49ers as Dre Greenlaw tore his Achilles in the Super Bowl and it could take around November to get back in the lineup. I expect him and new 49ers Linebacker De’vondre Campbell to battle it out at training camp to see who gets to be alongside Fred Warner at the Inside Linebacker position.
Grade: C+
Overall: The San Francisco 49ers get a B+ grade for their 2024 draft class. Overall the organization did a great job drafting. John Lynch did a nice job of adding pieces that can help them win now and prepare for the future. I expect some rookies to make an immediate impact like Ricky Pearsall and Dominick Puni. The 49ers have a good track record of drafting gems in the mid to late rounds so I won’t be surprised if one of these picks becomes a future Pro-Bowler.
