Grading the San Francisco 49ers' 2024 Draft Class: Brock Purdy gets a host of new playmakers
The 2024 NFL Draft is in the books and, as is often their way, the San Francisco 49ers went in a different direction from what many thought they should prioritize. San Francisco did not address the offensive line until the third round despite the Niners' defeat in Super Bowl 58 coming in large part because […]
The 2024 NFL Draft is in the books and, as is often their way, the San Francisco 49ers went in a different direction from what many thought they should prioritize.
San Francisco did not address the offensive line until the third round despite the Niners' defeat in Super Bowl 58 coming in large part because of their struggles on the right side of their front.
But the picks they did make put one of the most explosive teams in football in a position to be even more devastating in 2024. Let's grade their eight selections.
Round 1, No. 31 overall: Ricky Pearsall, WR, Florida
Breaking down the pick: Maybe it was a little early, and there's an obvious case to be made that the 49ers did not address their biggest need with their first selection on the opening night since 2021.
However, Pearsall is a perfect fit for the Shanahan offense with his detailed route-running, ability to consistently separate and what he can do after the catch. An outstanding ball tracker who also gives great effort as a blocker when he doesn't have the ball in his hands, Pearsall sees the 49ers stack an already loaded deck even further, giving them a playmaker for 2024 and a potential starter in 2025 when Deebo Samuel's future will once again be under scrutiny.
Final Grade: A-
Round 2, No. 64 overall (from KC): Renardo Green, CB, Florida State
Breaking down the pick: The 49ers moved down one spot in a trade with the Kansas City Chiefs, picking up an extra fifth-rounder in the deal, before selecting Green to make him a part of their future in the secondary. Tenacious in run defense and in coverage with impressive on-ball production, Green compares well with starters Charvarius Ward and Deommodore Lenoir, both of whom are free agents next offseason. The criticism here comes from the fact the 49ers eschewed the chance to take an offensive tackle and, by trading down, allowed the Chiefs to take one in Kingsley Suamataia.
Final Grade: B-
Round 3, No. 86 overall (from PHI): Dominick Puni, OL, Kansas
Breaking down the pick: San Francisco flipped a fourth-round pick (132 overall) to the Eagles to move up eight spots in the third round. Puni gives the 49ers extremely useful versatility on the O-Line having not allowed a sack in two successive seasons in which he played left guard and left tackle. The 49ers believe Puni can play all five spots but will start his career on the interior. It's a smart pick, but didn't address a seemingly glaring need at right tackle.
Final Grade: B
Round 4, No. 124 overall (from DAL): Malik Mustapha, S, Wake Forest
Breaking down the pick: The final chapter in the Trey Lance story, at least as far as the 49ers are concerned. Mustapha was selected with the pick the 49ers received in the trade that sent Lance to the Cowboys. He gives them a tackling machine who can develop behind Talanoa Hufanga and Ji'Ayir Brown while helping a special teams unit that struggled significantly in 2023.
Final Grade: B
Round 4, No. 129 overall (from NYJ): Isaac Guerendo, RB, Louisville
Breaking down the pick: The 49ers dealt their two fifth-rounders (173 and 176) to continue a draft tradition in moving up for a running back. It's the third time the Niners have done so in the Kyle Shanahan and John Lynch era. Moving up for a non-premium position is often difficult to justify, but the 49ers have been vocal about their lack of enthusiasm for day three picks in this draft. Guerendo, an athletic freak who crushed the Combine, fits their offense like a glove with his burst, decisiveness and ability to damage after contact.
Final Grade: B-
Round 4, No. 135 overall: Jacob Cowing, WR, Arizona
Breaking down the pick: The 49ers' response to the Super Bowl was clearly not to focus on building the offensive line, but instead find receivers who can shred teams who dare to play man coverage. They added one in Pearsall, and Cowing has the speed to do the same. A fast and fluid wideout who can change direction effortlessly at full speed, Cowing is another big-play threat with the upside to make an impact in the return game.
Final Grade: A-
Round 6, No. 215 overall: Jarrett Kingston, OL, USC
Breaking down the pick: More interior line help and versatility up front for the Niners with their penultimate pick. Kingston has played every position on the offensive line other than center and fits the 49ers' athletic profile. His A to Z Sports athletic composite score of 94.3% was the seventh-best among all offensive linemen at the Combine.
Final Grade: B
Round 7, No. 251 overall: Tatum Bethune, LB, Florida State
Breaking down the pick: The 49ers get more depth at linebacker with Bethune, who they brought in for a top-30 visit during the pre-draft process. He fits what the 49ers' look for at the position as an undersized backer with good instincts. Bethune was extremely productive in his two seasons with Florida State, which saw him rack up 15 tackles for loss.
Final Grade: C+
Final Grade: B
I established a theme pretty quickly in this piece with most picks hovering around the B mark. Pearsall and Cowing can make the offense much tougher to defend and the 49ers are set up if they have to part with an All-Pro receiver next offseason. They also have succession plans at corner and safety and an extremely explosive running back to help out Christian McCaffrey, but it's tough to shake the feeling that offensive line, and specifically tackle, should have been more of a focus.
Here is the San Francisco 49ers’ 2024 NFL Draft Class
They have officially drafted their rookies.
