San Francisco 49ers' 2024 rookie class has chance to be their most impactful since 2019 vintage
Every draft is about trying to find players who can contribute immediately and put the team in the best position possible for the future. With the San Francisco 49ers having few obvious holes, their 2024 draft was always deemed likely to focus more on the future. The picks they made, in which they elected not […]
Every draft is about trying to find players who can contribute immediately and put the team in the best position possible for the future.
With the San Francisco 49ers having few obvious holes, their 2024 draft was always deemed likely to focus more on the future. The picks they made, in which they elected not to spend premium selections on the offensive line, seen as their biggest weakness, did nothing to dissuade observers of the notion that theirs was a draft in which the emphasis was predominantly on filling prospective future holes.
But, as the offseason has progressed, it has become apparent that the 49ers' rookie class could have a significant impact on their 2024 fortunes as they look to atone for the Super Bowl agony of last season.
In the Kyle Shanahan and John Lynch era, the 2019 draft class has undoubtedly been their most impactful, and its impact was felt instantly in year one. Nick Bosa was Defensive Rookie of the Year, Deebo Samuel thrived at wide receiver as a second-round pick, and Dre Greenlaw emerged as a surprise starter as a fifth-round rookie. Mitch Wishnowsky had a net punting average of 41.6 yards as a fourth-round pick, a number he did not top until 2023 (42.7).
In the years since, the 49ers have regularly found starters, with the 2021 draft particularly successful in that regard outside of the Trey Lance pick, and their have been significant rookie contributions from the likes of Brandon Aiyuk (2020), Elijah Mitchell (2021) and most notably Brock Purdy in 2022.
But in terms of across the board rookie impact nothing has topped the 2019 class. The 2024 group has the chance to at least secure second place.
First-round pick Ricky Pearsall's selection prompted increased speculation around the futures of Aiyuk and Samuel, and he is still seen as somebody who may have a larger role if the latter is a cap casualty next offseason. However, the manner in which he has impressed when given first-team reps in Aiyuk's absence has increased the likelihood of him playing significant snaps in the slot from 11 personnel, though he will still need to compete for those snaps with Jauan Jennings.
Fourth-round pick Jacob Cowing's path to playing time on offense is less clear, but with his field stretching-speed he could still be used sporadically as a deep threat, while his physical gifts make him a contender to return kicks and punts.
Speaking of speed, the 49ers selected the fastest running back in the draft in the form of Isaac Guerendo. The Niners will hope he can help take some of the burden off Christian McCaffrey on the ground, while he too is a candidate to return kicks following the implementation of new rules that should make runbacks a bigger part of the game.
Third-round pick Dominick Puni's ability to crack the roster and win the starting right guard job will hinge on his ability to make strides in the run game. However, the rookie most likely to have a significant influence on the 49ers' 2024 fortunes is on the defensive side of the ball.
Second-round cornerback Renardo Green received reps at both nickel and outside corner in OTAs and minicamp. He has received significant praise for the way in which he has taken to that challenge and, if he can show enough to convince the Niners he can start at nickel in year one, it would free up Deommdore Lenoir to play outside full-time across from Charvarius Ward, giving San Francisco crucial continuity in the secondary.
That secondary could also feature fourth-round pick Malik Mustapha if the safety is thrust into the lineup by an injury to Ji'Ayir Brown or Talanoa Hufanga. The 49ers would ideally likely to avoid that scenario but, with Mustapha widely regarded as a steal who can be a huge asset with his versatility, strengths as a tackler and ability to make plays at all three levels, it would be no surprise to see the 49ers utilize him in three-safety looks in year one.
For sixth-round pick Jarrett Kingston and seventh-rounder Tatum Bethune, simply making the roster would be a success.
Yet, with rookies set to report to training camp in just over two weeks, it's clear that several members of this class could be contributors right off the bat.
Green has an obvious path to starting and Puni could join him in doing so with a strong camp that sees him outshine Spencer Burford and Jon Feliciano. Pearsall is likely to have a defined role in the passing game after quickly building a strong rapport with Purdy, while Guerendo has the potential to leapfrog more experienced players on the running back depth chart and prove a critical complement to McCaffrey.
The overall impact of this class in its first year is highly unlikely to be comparable to that of 2024. However, if Green can excel and the likes of Pearsall and Guerendo can deliver the kind of production of which they are capable in a rotational capacity, this draft could surpass all but one draft from the Shanahan era in terms of an instant return from several 49ers rookies.
San Francisco 49ers depth chart with start of 2024 training camp just over three weeks away
The return of 49ers football is drawing ever closer.
