The San Francisco 49ers have completed what could be one of the more crucial draft classes in their history.

Coming off an agonizing Super Bowl 58 defeat to the Kansas City Chiefs and with a top-heavy and expensive roster, the 49ers needed to get contributors for the immediate future and for the long term.

After making eight picks, the 49ers look to have done just that, though their focus was not on the areas of the roster many anticipated.

San Francisco 49ers’ Official 2024 NFL Draft Class

Round 1, No. 31 Overall: Ricky Pearsall, WR, Florida

Pearsall’s selection came as something of a surprise and ignited rumors of a potential trade of one of the 49ers’ two All-Pro wideouts, Brandon Aiyuk and Deebo Samuel.

A trade did not materialize, meaning the pick of Pearsall simply makes the 49ers' cast of offensive weapons even more stacked.

Pearsall is a perfect fit for the Shanahan offense who consistently creates separation with detailed route-running and tracks the ball extremely well, Pearsall can be an immediate contributor as a third receiver with inside-out versatility who could also make an impact in the return game.

With Samuel's status for 2025 likely to be up in the air, Pearsall projects as a potential starter a year from now.

Round 2, No. 64 Overall (from KC): Renardo Green, CB, Florida State

If Pearsall was a pick in part with 2025 in mind, Green was likely a selection made entirely with a focus on next year. The 49ers dropped back one spot to selecting Green, picking up an extra fifth-rounder from the Kansas City Chiefs.

The 49ers' top two corners, Charvarius Ward and Deommodore Lenoir, are both bound for unrestricted free agency next offseason, when quarterback Brock Purdy will be eligible for an extension.

It is unlikely the Niners will be able to re-sign both Ward and Lenoir, so a move to select a corner whom they can groom into a starter for next year is a prudent one.

A feisty and competitive corner with impressive mirror-match skills and strong on-ball production, Green's play style is reflective of that of Ward and Lenoir. He had 13 pass breakups last season, which led the ACC.

Round 3, No. 86 Overall: Dominick Puni, OL, Kansas

San Francisco general manager John Lynch praised the versatility of the offensive linemen in the class in his pre-draft press conference, and in Puni the 49ers traded up for a player they believe can play every position on the offensive line.

Puni did not allow a sack over two successive seasons playing first at left guard (2022) and left tackle (2023).

For the 49ers, he will begin his career on the interior, and it will be interesting to see if a player who is an excellent fit for the 49ers' scheme is able to challenge veteran Jon Feliciano for the starting right guard role as a rookie.

Round 4, No. 124 Overall (from DAL): Malik Mustapha, S, Wake Forest

The final domino in the Trey Lance trade fell as the 49ers used the selection they got in return for the third overall pick from the Dallas Cowboys.

In Mustapha, they get some insurance at a safety position where the depth behind starters Ji'Ayir Brown and Talanoa Hufanga was lacking

One of the premier tackling safeties in the draft, Mustapha had 80 tackles in final season at Wake Forest. As a rookie, he could be an instant asset on special teams and, if he sees the field on defense in his maiden season, could solidify a run defense that struggled down the stretch last year.

Round 4, No. 129 Overall (from NYJ): Isaac Guerendo, RB, Louisville

The 49ers traded two fifth-rounders (173 and 176), including the one they received in the trade with the Chiefs, to jump up into the fourth round and continue a franchise draft tradition in trading up for a running back.

Previous such moves for Joe Williams and Trey Sermon, as well as a selection that did not involve a trade in Tyrion Davis-Price, have netted pitiful returns.

But there's substantial reason to believe Guerendo, one the best athletes in the class who possess the decisive, burst and the ability do damage after contact to be a big-time weapon in the 49er offense.

The 49ers can't realistically pile another 300-plus touches on Christian McCaffrey. Guerendo, who enters the league with very little tread on the tires, can help relieve the burden while still offering explosive upside out of the backfield.

Round 4, No. 135 Overall: Jacob Cowing, WR, Arizona

The 49ers did a lot of work on the receiver position during the pre-draft process, so it’s not necessarily a surprise to see them double up at the position.

Cowing, who has drawn comparisons to Houston Texans star Tank Dell, adds some much-needed speed to the 49er receiving corps.

Extremely fast and fluid with the ability to change direction at full speed, Cowing shows excellent body control at the catch point and has great upside after the catch, which allowed him to average 18.4 yards per reception at UTEP before he transferred to Arizona, where he caught 20 touchdowns in just two seasons.

A candidate to take advantage of the new kickoff rules with his speed, Cowing brings some significant juice that the 49ers could use to devastating effect on offense and special teams.

Round 6, No. 215 Overall: Jarrett Kingston, OL, USC

The 49ers have a type when it comes to the athletes they want on the offensive line, and Kingston fits the bill perfectly.

Just over 6ft 4in and 306 pounds, Kingston crushed his pre-draft testing, his 40-yard dash time of 5.09 seconds, with a 1.73-second 10-yard split, putting him in the 93rd percentile for guards. He also posted a 92nd percentile broad jump and an 88th percentile vertical jump.

Kingston has played every position on the offensive line during his career. Last season, he gave up four sacks on 464 pass blocking snaps.

Round 7, No. 251 Overall: Tatum Bethune, LB, Florida State

Bethune was a top-30 visit for the 49ers, and brings more linebacker depth in a year in which there is doubt whether Dre Greenlaw will be ready for Week 1.

He's a high-IQ player who fits the 49ers' profile at the position and was consistently in the backfield in his final two seasons with Florida State, recording 15 tackles for loss.

---

• Round 1: No. 31 overall: Ricky Pearsall, WR, Florida
• Round 2: No. 64 overall (from KC): Renardo Green (VIA KC), CB, Florida State
• Round 3: No. 86 overall (from PHI): Dominick Puni, OL, Kansas
• Round 4: No. 124 overall (from DAL): Malik Mustapha, S, Wake Forest
• Round 4: No. 129 overall (from NYJ): Isaac Guerendo, RB, Louisville
• Round 4: No. 135 overall: Jacob Cowing, WR, Arizona
• Round 6: No. 215 overall (comp pick): Jarrett Kingston, OL, USC
• Round 7: No. 251 overall: Tatum Bethune, LB, Florida State

---

With a first-round pick on a separation specialist in Pearsall and a fourth-rounder on speedster Cowing, the 49ers put a heavy emphasis on drafting pass-catchers who can beat man coverage. On top of that, the addition of the best athlete in the running back class in Guerendo should help the Niners retain a big-play run threat even when Christian McCaffrey is off the field.

The secondary is well set up for the future after the picks of Green and Mustapha, who could both ascend to starting roles in 2025 depending on which members of the defensive backfield the 49ers are able to re-sign. 

For those outside the building, the most surprising aspect of the 49ers' draft is that they did not draft a tackle, with right tackle regarded as their biggest hole. In Puni and Kingston, however, they have two versatile interior guys who should greatly improve their depth on the offensive line.

49ers’ latest draft pick adds more value and another positive spin to the Trey Lance trade

Now it looks a good deal.