Expert believes surprise draft pick will make the most immediate impact
The 49ers came into the 2023 draft at a pick disadvantage. They would not make their first selection until they traded up for pick 87 in round 3. With that pick, they selected Ji'Ayir Brown, a safety out of Penn State. Brown will most likely start the season on the bench but could be launched into […]
The 49ers came into the 2023 draft at a pick disadvantage.
They would not make their first selection until they traded up for pick 87 in round 3. With that pick, they selected Ji'Ayir Brown, a safety out of Penn State. Brown will most likely start the season on the bench but could be launched into a starting role if there are injuries in the secondary.
However, the 49ers most controversial selection occurred just 12 picks later at pick 99. They selected kicker Jake Moody from the University of Michigan. Drafting a kicker this round is bold, especially when he is your second overall pick in the draft class.
However, The Athletic seems to think that Moody will greatly and immediately impact the 49ers. Here is what they had to say:
Yes, tight end Cameron Latu ought to see a significant number of snaps this season and could have some high-impact catches around the goal line. And Ji’Ayir Brown could end up in a starting role if there are injuries at safety. But kicker Jake Moody will be scrutinized every time he tries for a point-after attempt or field goal. Heck, even his kickoffs — an issue in San Francisco the past two seasons — will get a lot of attention. Kickers typically lead their teams in scoring. Robbie Gould did so from 2017 to 2022. That alone makes Moody the highest-impact rookie. — Matt Barrows and David Lombardi
The 49ers have indeed struggled in the kicking game the past few seasons. It's also true that due to the high pick, everything Moody does will be scrutinized. More than an average kicker, fans will expect consistent excellence from day 1.
Hopefully, Moody is ready for the spotlight and justifies his draft position.
