Did the 49ers get snubbed from the rookie showcase?
As we all know, the San Francisco 49ers didn't have a pick until the third round of the 2023 NFL Draft. This was in part due to the 2021 trade-up for Trey Lance, as well as the 2022 trade for Christian McCaffrey. Every year, the NFLPA selects rookies across the entire league to attend the event "based […]
As we all know, the San Francisco 49ers didn't have a pick until the third round of the 2023 NFL Draft.
This was in part due to the 2021 trade-up for Trey Lance, as well as the 2022 trade for Christian McCaffrey.
Every year, the NFLPA selects rookies across the entire league to attend the event "based on factors such as college performance, draft status, position, and marketability, all of which affect trading card value." It is, after all, presented by Panini America.
This year, the 49ers didn't have anyone in attendance, as you can see below:
Their first pick in the third round was Penn State safety Ji'Ayir Brown, followed by Michigan kicker, Jake Moody.
The 49ers did release pictures from their rookie minicamp which can be seen here. So, at least there's photos of the new guys in some kind of uniform.
Did the 49ers get snubbed from this event? It's unclear how the NFL organizes things, but it's certainly worth the question. For instance, that guy in the far back left corner wearing No. 14 is New Orleans Saints rookie QB Jake Haener. He was taken with the 127th overall pick in the draft – in Round 4.
As mentioned earlier, Brown was selected with the 87th overall pick in Round 3. So, it's clear that no picks until Round 3 shouldn't be an issue for absent rookies in the photo.
Oh well. Regardless, it won't matter if the rooks turn into solid players and help the 49ers get over the hump and win a Super Bowl. That's what really matters – even if this is strange.
