San Francisco 49ers 2024 NFL Draft report card: Grading San Francisco's efforts from last year as the focus turns to 2025
The San Francisco 49ers are under significant pressure to nail this offseason, and that includes finding several contributors from a draft in which they will have the 11th overall pick. That is the highest pick the 49ers have owned since the 2021 draft, when they traded up from 12 to 3 to take Trey Lance. […]
The San Francisco 49ers are under significant pressure to nail this offseason, and that includes finding several contributors from a draft in which they will have the 11th overall pick.
That is the highest pick the 49ers have owned since the 2021 draft, when they traded up from 12 to 3 to take Trey Lance.
It's unlikely the Niners make such a dramatic move this year and, after seeing the results from their 2024 class to this point, they have reason to be confident they can have another strong draft in 2025.
How exactly did each player selected fare? Let's look back at the performances of the 49ers' most recent crop of picks, obviously excluding sixth-round pick Jarrett Kingston, who did not make the team.
Round 1, Pick 31 – WR Ricky Pearsall: B-
Pearsall had to overcome so much not just physically but mentally after surviving being shot through the chest in August.
He eventually made his debut in Week 7 and, after an inconsistent start that saw him show understandable rust, Pearsall came on strong down the stretch.
His impressive performances against the Detroit Lions, in which he went for 141 yards and a touchdown, and the Arizona Cardinals (69 yards, 1 TD), illustrated the tremendous potential he has as a detailed and fluid route-runner with impressive stop-start quickness and 4.4 speed that shows up on tape.
With a full offseason under his belt in 2025, he could be primed for a breakout second season.
Round, 2 Pick 64 – CB Renardo Green: A-
Some eyebrows were raised when the 49ers traded back one pick to take Green, eschewing the chance to select an offensive tackle in the process.
While the tackle spot is still an area of concern for the Niners, at this point there are few questioning their high opinion of Green, who now looks like a long-term starter for San Francisco after a superb first season.
Green made 49ers history, breaking the franchise rookie record with 13 pass breakups in his first season, along with an interception in the Week 6 win over the Seattle Seahawks.
In addition to his clear ability to make plays on the ball at the catch point, Green showcased man coverage ability, awareness in zone coverage, recovery speed and prowess for driving on the ball from depth.
Green was seventh among the 48 cornerbacks with at least 50 targets in 2024 in Sports Info Solutions 'points saved' per play metric in pass defense. Throw in a tenacious attitude to run defense, and the former Florida State defender ticks all the boxes at the position for the 49ers.
Round 3, Pick 86 – OL Dominick Puni: A
Undoubtedly the gem of the 49ers' 2024 draft class to this point. Puni, by his own admission, was not perfect and tailed off a little down the stretch, but his overall consistency starting every single game at right guard in year one cannot be denied.
Though he was credited by Pro Football Focus with allowing three sacks, Puni did not give up a single quarterback hit in 656 pass blocking snaps, showing remarkable composure in pass protection for somebody of his inexperience.
On top of that, Puni made incredible strides as a run blocker, which was considered to be the weakest part of his game. He ranked seventh among guards with at least 200 run blocking snaps in PFF run block grade.
Puni looks set to be cornerstone of the O-Line for years to come. A home run in the third round for Lynch and Shanahan.
Round 4, Pick 124 – S Malik Mustapha: A-
The selection of Mustapha drew widespread plaudits when it was made and those have proven justified.
As is the case with Green, Mustapha appears poised to have a big role in the 49er secondary for years to come.
Mustapha allowed only seven receptions on 20 targets this season, making him the only player to start at least 10 games and allow a completion rate of under 40 percent.
Though his versatility allows him to make plays from the deep middle and hold up in man coverage, Mustapha is at his best attacking downhill, his speed to the ball and ferocious physicality seeing him make several highlight reel plays in run defense.
Mustapha's future with the 49ers looks to be bright. The big question surrounds who plays next him in 2025 and beyond after a down year for 2023 third-round pick Ji'Ayir Brown.
Round 4, Pick 132 – RB Isaac Guerendo: B
Christian McCaffrey's persistent injury troubles, combined with Jordan Mason missing the final five games of the season, provided more opportunities for Guerendo than he might have anticipated in his rookie year.
Guerendo's success in taking advantage of those opportunities was limited by some injury problems of his own late in the season, and he suffered a knee injury on the first series of the season finale against the Arizona Cardinals.
But the man whom the 49ers traded a pair of fifth-rounders to move up and get still managed to demonstrate why they made that move, with game-breaking speed helping him rip off several big gains on ground. Guerendo's improvement was clear to see by the end of the year, which he finished leading the league in yards after contact per attempt.
He also demonstrated promise in the passing game, catching 15 of his 16 targets and averaging over 10 yards per reception.
A total of 572 scrimmage yards and four touchdowns represented a solid return for Guerendo, who is firmly in the mix to be the No. 2 behind McCaffrey in 2025.
Round 4, Pick 135 – WR Jacob Cowing: C+
Whenever he made it onto the field on offense, Cowing displayed potential to be an extremely useful weapon for the Niners with his deep speed and route-running proficiency.
The problem was that we did not see enough of Cowing on the field in an offensive capacity, with the former Arizona wideout limited primarily to special teams.
His four receptions going for 80 yards is indicative of the kind of big-play threat he could be, but it's clear that, to this point, Cowing has not done enough to make Shanahan believe he is ready to be used on offense consistently. It would be great news for the Niners if that changes in 2025.
Round 7, Pick 251 – LB Tatum Bethune: C
Bethune was largely limited to special teams before going on injured reserve in November with a knee injury.
He returned for the final two games of the season and demonstrated a skill set reminiscent of Dre Greenlaw in his first extensive time on defense in Week 18, with speed in pursuit and enough athleticism to hold up in coverage defining features of his performance.
UFDA – DT Evan Anderson: B+
It would be unfair not to mention, the undrafted defensive tackle out of Florida Atlantic who produced more than enough to suggest he can be a long-term part of the rotation because of his impact on run defense.
Anderson consistently proved his worth against the run through his success in holding his ground against double teams and finding the ball-carrier.
No 49ers defensive tackle was credited with more points saved against the run than Anderson's 6.38. The early signs suggest he will prove a very savvy find by the Niners.
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