WalterFootball.com: NFL Draft Grades - San Francisco 49ers

2024 Pick 31. (R:1 P:31) - Ricky Pearsall, WR, Florida C I guess Brandon Aiyuk is on the move. The 49ers drafting a receiver is not a surprise, but Ricky Pearsall in the first round is something I haven't seen. I don't hate this value, but I think it's a bit too early for Pearsall. I wish San Francisco would have traded down instead.

2024 Pick 64. (R:2 P:32) - Renardo Green, CB, Florida State
C This is a bit too early for Renardo Green, whom we had tabbed as a fringe second-day prospect. I don't hate the selection because Green potentially fills a big need at cornerback, but Green didn't produce very much at Florida State.

2024 Pick 86. (R:3 P:22) - Dominick Puni, OT, Kansas
B+ The 49ers have Trent Williams, but the rest of the offensive line is underwhelming. They needed a right tackle to replace Mike McGlinchey and a future blind-side protector when Williams leaves. Dominick Puni can play both tackle spots and also guard, so the 49ers can use him everywhere.

2024 Pick 124. (R:4 P:24) - Malik Mustapha, S, Wake Forest
C- This is an underwhelming pick by the 49ers, as Malik Mustapha projects as a career backup and a potential core special-teamer. The 49ers could have made this or a similar pick two rounds later.

2024 Pick 129. (R:4 P:29) - Isaac Guerendo, RB, Louisville
C+ Wow, what a total shocker that Kyle Shanahan used a mid-round pick on a running back! I don't think the 49ers needed to trade up for Isaac Guerendo, but they're getting an under-the-radar prospect. Guerendo is a big back who tested much faster than some people thought. We had him around this fourth-round range.

2024 Pick 135. (R:4 P:35) - Jacob Cowing, WR, Arizona
B+ A second receiver to the 49ers makes sense, given some impending trades at the position. Jacob Cowing is a very fast receiver with upside who makes sense here at the end of the fourth round.

2024 San Francisco 49ers - Prospect:TBD

2024 Pick 211. (R:6 P:35) - Kamal Hadden, CB, Tennessee
B Kamal Hadden bounced around schools, but settled in at Tennessee. He played well last year and was seen as a mid-Day 3 prospect, so this is a logical choice for the Chiefs to make, especially given how many lethal passing offenses exist in the AFC.

2024 Pick 215. (R:6 P:39) - Jarrett Kingston, G, USC
B Jarrett Kingston needs to get stronger for the NFL. However, he has nice position versatility to play tackle and guard if he does bulk up a bit. Adding more blocking makes sense for the 49ers, and Kingston was expected to be drafted around this area.

2024 Pick 251. (R:7 P:31) - Tatum Bethune, LB, Florida State
B- I've never seen anyone mention Tatum Bethune as a draftable prospect, but we're in the final 10 picks here, so I don't blame the 49ers for getting ahead of everyone for the UDFA surge.

2023 Pick 99. (R:3 P:36) - Jake Moody, K, Michigan
D Kickers are not people, Rich Eisen. They are abominations. And they certainly should not be chosen in the third round. Fifth round, OK. Third round, no. The 49ers needed a real player and person here.

2023 Pick 101. (R:3 P:38) - Cameron Latu, TE, Alabama
B- The 49ers wanted a second tight end to go along with George Kittle, so here we go. Cameron Latu has plus athleticism and size, but has a checkered injury history. He makes sense at the end of the third round in this loaded tight end class.

2023 Pick 102. (R:3 P:39) - Mekhi Blackmon, CB, USC B+ The Vikings really needed a cornerback, and Mekhi Blackmon is very talented. He's small, but very speedy. He had a great Senior Bowl to push himself up draft boards. I like him at the end of the third round.

2023 Pick 155. (R:5 P:20) - Darrell Luter Jr., CB, South Alabama
B The 49ers needed cornerback depth, and Darrell Luter is someone I had slotted 12 picks later than this. Luter was excellent at South Alabama, but we'll have to see how he performs with far better athletes.

2023 Pick 164. (R:5 P:29) - Jaren Hall, QB, BYU B+ Kirk Cousins is entering the final year of his contract, so the Vikings had to find a quarterback to groom as a potential successor. We'll have to see if Hall can develop, but he at least has plus mobility. His arm is fine as well.

2023 Pick 173. (R:5 P:38) - Robert Beal, DE, Georgia
B- Robert Beal surprised a bit in his workouts, as there seemed to be limited upside with him. Perhaps he'll surprise everyone in the NFL. I didn't have him drafted, but this pick makes sense. The 49ers needed to add depth to their defensive front after losing some players in free agency.

2023 Pick 216. (R:6 P:39) - Dee Winters, LB, TCU
B+ Dee Winters is a solid run defender who can stand to improve in coverage. I had Winters going in the fifth round, so this is decent value. Linebacker depth was a need, so I think this is a quality selection.

2023 Pick 222. (R:7 P:5) - DeWayne McBride, RB, UAB
B There's talk that Dalvin Cook could be traded, so DeWayne McBride might be the No. 2 running back of the future. McBride is a power back, but he lacks speed and agility. Still, he's a fine pick in the seventh round.

2023 Pick 247. (R:7 P:30) - Brayden Willis, TE, Oklahoma
B+ Brayden Willis is undersized, but he's an excellent blocker. It's a fine time to draft blocking tigth ends in the seventh round.

2023 Pick 253. (R:7 P:36) - Ronnie Bell, WR, Michigan
B Ronnie Bell is a smart receiver with quality route-running ability. He's a limited athlete, however, so there's not much upside for the final round.

2023 Pick 255. (R:7 P:38) - Jalen Graham, OLB, Purdue
B- Jalen Graham is a small linebacker who struggles to tackle. He can cover well, but he's going to be abused in run support. He may have to stick to special teams.

2022 Pick 61. (R:2 P:29) - Drake Jackson, DE, USC B+ Grade
It's not a surprise that the 49ers are addressing their pass rush, given how much Dee Ford has fallen off in recent years. Jackson is a solid prospect and I mocked him to the 49ers in my re-draft at this spot, so I like this selection.

2022 Pick 93. (R:3 P:29) - Tyrion Davis-Price, RB, LSU
D Grade
The 49ers have done some sketchy things with running backs during the John Lynch-Kyle Shanahan era, and this is another instance of that. The 49ers may think that Tyrion Davis-Price will provide a hand in the backfield, but he'll just be dwarfed by the competition. He's a tough runner, but I thought he belonged in the sixth or seventh season, I mean round.

2022 Pick 105. (R:3 P:41) - Danny Gray, WR, SMU
B- Grade
Danny Gray is a threat after the catch, so... Deebo Samuel insurance? It sure seems that way. I think this is a tad early for Gray, but it's not an egregious reach by any means. This is a fine selection to close out Day 2.

2022 Pick 134. (R:4 P:29) - Spencer Burford, OT, Texas-San Antonio
B+ Grade
It makes sense for the 49ers to find some tackle insurance because Trent Williams is in his mid-30s and could regress at any time. Burford provides nice value - I had him earlier in this round - and he could eventually be a starter for San Francisco.

2022 Pick 172. (R:5 P:29) - Samuel Womack, CB, Toledo
C Grade
Another prospect who wasn't on my board at all. Samuel Womack was a productive cornerback at Toledo, but I don't think he projects well into the NFL. Still, he could potentially fill a big need at corner for the 49ers.

2022 Pick 187. (R:6 P:8) - Nick Zakelj, OT, Fordham
B+ Grade
Another tackle pick may seem redundant, but the 49ers are making a great value choice because I thought Nick Zakelj could have easily been chosen in the fourth round. It's nice that San Francisco shored up its offensive line depth.

2022 Pick 221. (R:6 P:42) - Tariq Castro-Fields, CB, Penn State
A- Grade
Wow, this is quite the fall for Tariq Castro-Fields, who used to appear in the second round of my mocks. Castro-Fields, however, had a horrible 2021 campaign. Perhaps he's been exposed, but he could rebound and perform like he did prior to 2021. I like this gamble.

2022 Pick 222. (R:7 P:1) - Montaric Brown, CB, Arkansas
B Grade
Montaric Brown was always on the cusp of making the final round of my 2022 NFL Mock Draft, but never got in, unfortunately. The good news for him is that he was drafted. He was productive at Arkansas, so perhaps he can give the Jaguars some needed depth at corner.

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2022 Pick 262. (R:7 P:41) - Brock Purdy, QB, Iowa State
B Grade
Brock Purdy has no chance of becoming a starting quarterback in the NFL, but he might be a quality backup. He can compete with Nate Sudfeld behind Trey Lance once Jimmy Garoppolo is traded. I would have preferred Carson Strong though.

2021 Pick 3. (R:1 P:3) - Trey Lance, QB, North Dakota State A- Grade
I've been in contact with several 49er fans who have been incredibly fearful of their team selecting Mac Jones. They can all now be at ease, as their team made the correct decision. Trey Lance is a much better prospect than Jones. Lance may not be as accurate as Jones in the short passing game, but he has much better arm strength, and he's an incredible athlete. He also possesses high intelligence and character traits. The one concern with Lance is that he's raw, especially after missing last season, but Charlie Campbell was told that Lance resembles Josh Allen. Give him two or three years, and he'll likely be a superstar.

2021 Pick 43. (R:2 P:11) - Trevon Moehrig, S, TCU A+ Grade
Everyone whined about the Raiders apparently reaching for Alex Leatherwood on Thursday even though it was really fine value. I imagine that this selection will be viewed more favorably because Trevon Moehrig was frequently mocked in the first round as the only safety in the opening frame. Moehrig is a safe prospect who figures to fill a huge need in the Raiders' dreadful secondary.

2021 Pick 117. (R:4 P:12) - Bobby Brown, DT, Texas A&M
B Grade
Bobby Brown has some amazing athleticism, so the Rams are swinging for the fences with this pick. It would make sense for them to address defensive tackle after losing Michael Brockers. I had Brown a bit later than this, but there's no denying Brown's potential.

2021 Pick 155. (R:5 P:11) - Jaylon Moore, OT, Western Michigan
B Grade
Trent Williams was re-signed, but his health is unreliable. The 49ers needed to find an insurance policy for Williams, and this is a fine one. I had Jaylon Moore in the fifth or sixth rounds of my updates, so the range makes sense for Moore.

2021 Pick 172. (R:5 P:28) - Deommodore Lenoir, CB, Oregon
B Grade
This is the 49ers' second cornerback, which is a logical pick because of the players they lost at the position this offseason. I've had Deommodore Leonoir around this range in my mock draft, so this is a fine selection.

2021 Pick 180. (R:5 P:36) - Talanoa Hufanga, S, USC B+ Grade
Russell Wilson, Kyler Murray, Matthew Stafford... the 49ers obviously needed to address the secondary. Talanoa Hufanga was someone I mocked in the fourth round, so I'm definitely a fan of this value.

2021 Pick 194. (R:6 P:10) - Elijah Mitchell, RB, La.-Lafayette
B Grade
Elijah Mitchell is a pure kick returner who won't do much else. There's not much to analyze here beyond the 49ers getting a dynamic threat on special teams. I didn't have Mitchell drafted, but only because I didn't know where to slot him.

2021 San Francisco 49ers - Prospect:TBD

2020 San Francisco 49ers - Prospect:TBD

2019 San Francisco 49ers - Prospect:TBD

2018 San Francisco 49ers - Prospect:TBD

2017 San Francisco 49ers - Prospect:TBD

2016 San Francisco 49ers - Prospect:TBD

2015 San Francisco 49ers - Prospect:TBD

2014 San Francisco 49ers - Prospect:TBD

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