San Francisco 49ers (Last Year: 12-5)
NFL Draft Team Grade:
C GradeGoals Entering the 2024 NFL Draft: Outside of Trent Williams, the 49ers did not have great blocking last year. They’ll have to focus on finding a couple of offensive linemen to help Brock Purdy next year. The secondary and receiving corps must be addressed as well. Of course, the defensive line won’t be neglected, as the 49ers love bolstering their pass rush each draft.
2024 NFL Draft Accomplishments: John Lynch stated that he won’t be trading Brandon Aiyuk or Deebo Samuel, but his actions say otherwise. Lynch, who loves addressing the trenches in the early rounds, spent his first choice on receiver Ricky Pearsall. The Florida prospect wasn’t viewed largely as an opening-round prospect, but he wasn’t a major reach either.
San Francisco, however, did commit a major reach in the second round, taking Renardo Green when the Florida State product would have been better served going in the fourth frame. And speaking of the fourth round, the 49ers used a pick there on Malik Mustapha, who is considered a career backup and a potential core special teamer.
There were far too many examples of San Francisco squandering picks on reaches like Green and Mustapha. The team also failed to address the defensive line, and only looked at the offensive line in the first five rounds with third-rounder Dominick Puni. The Kansas product was a quality pick, but he wasn’t enough to fix an ailing blocking unit.
This was certainly a surprising result. I expected much better from Lynch. Instead, half of his picks graded C+ or worse, and none were better than B+.
NFL Draft Individual Grades:
31. Ricky Pearsall, WR, Florida – C Grade
I guess Brandon Aiyuk is on the move. The 49ers drafting a receiver is not a surprise, but Ricky Pearsall in the first round is something I haven’t seen. I don’t hate this value, but I think it’s a bit too early for Pearsall. I wish San Francisco would have traded down instead.
64. Renardo Green, CB, Florida State – C Grade
This is a bit too early for Renardo Green, whom we had tabbed as a fringe second-day prospect. I don’t hate the selection because Green potentially fills a big need at cornerback, but Green didn’t produce very much at Florida State.
86. Dominick Puni, OT/G, Kansas – B+ Grade
The 49ers have Trent Williams, but the rest of the offensive line is underwhelming. They needed a right tackle to replace Mike McGlinchey and a future blind-side protector when Williams leaves. Dominick Puni can play both tackle spots and also guard, so the 49ers can use him everywhere.
124. Malik Mustapha, S, Wake Forest – C- Grade
This is an underwhelming pick by the 49ers, as Malik Mustapha projects as a career backup and a potential core special-teamer. The 49ers could have made this or a similar pick two rounds later.
129. Isaac Guerendo, RB, Louisville – C+ Grade
Wow, what a total shocker that Kyle Shanahan used a mid-round pick on a running back! I don’t think the 49ers needed to trade up for Isaac Guerendo, but they’re getting an under-the-radar prospect. Guerendo is a big back who tested much faster than some people thought. We had him around this fourth-round range.
135. Jacob Cowing, WR, Arizona – B+ Grade
A second receiver to the 49ers makes sense, given some impending trades at the position. Jacob Cowing is a very fast receiver with upside who makes sense here at the end of the fourth round.
215. Jarrett Kingston, G/OT, USC – B Grade
Jarrett Kingston needs to get stronger for the NFL. However, he has nice position versatility to play tackle and guard if he does bulk up a bit. Adding more blocking makes sense for the 49ers, and Kingston was expected to be drafted around this area.
251. Tatum Bethune, LB, Florida State – B- Grade
I’ve never seen anyone mention Tatum Bethune as a draftable prospect, but we’re in the final 10 picks here, so I don’t blame the 49ers for getting ahead of everyone for the UDFA surge.
Season Summary:
The 49ers looked like the best team at times during the 2023 season, as they destroyed several teams that made the playoffs. They were up 10 against the Chiefs in the Super Bowl, but couldn’t hold on to the lead in the big game once again.
Offseason Moves:
Team Needs:
- Three Interior Offensive Linemen: Despite all their success in 2023, the 49ers didn’t have a very good offensive line. In fact, they need to retool the entire interior of their front.
- Right Tackle: Right tackle is an issue as well with Colton McKivitz as well, though less so than guard and center.
- Cornerback: Defensively, the 49ers’ biggest problem was covering. Cornerback was a weakness for them that must be improved.
- Wide Receiver: The 49ers don’t have any receiving depth, so it wasn’t a surprise that they struggled this year when Deebo Samuel was injured.
- Defensive End: San Francisco traded for Chase Young, but he’ll be entering free agency in March. Signed Leonard Floyd and Yetur Gross-Matos
Follow me @walterfootball for updates.
2024 NFL Free Agent Signings:
San Francisco 49ers Free Agents:
Salary Cap: TBA.
NFL Free Agent Tracker:
QB | RB | FB | WR | TE | OT | G | C | DE | DT | OLB | ILB | CB | S | K/P | FA Grades | FA Rumors
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