By Matt Barrows and David Lombardi
Apr 27, 2024
The San Francisco 49ers entered the 2024 NFL Draft on April 25 with 10 picks over the three-day draft.
In an offense-dominated first round that saw six quarterbacks go in the first 12 picks and a record-tying seven wide receivers selected, the 49ers grabbed one of those receivers when they took Florida’s Ricky Pearsall with the No. 31 pick. They went defense in the second round, trading down one spot from No. 63 to 64 and taking Florida State cornerback Renardo Green. The 49ers went the other way in the third round, trading up eight spots — and surrendering a fourth-round pick to the Philadelphia Eagles in the process — to take Kansas guard Dominick Puni.
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In the fourth round, the 49ers went back to their secondary by adding Wake Forest safety Malik Mustapha, before going for speed with Louisville running back Isaac Guerendo and Arizona wide receiver Jacob Cowling. To acquire Guerendo, the 49ers traded both of their fifth-round picks (Nos. 173 and 176) to the New York Jets to acquire the No. 129 pick. After a nearly four-hour wait between picks, the 49ers went back to the offensive line to add USC’s Jarrett Kingston in the sixth round.
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Keep coming back here throughout the draft for analysis and grades for each 49ers pick.
Round 1
No. 31: Ricky Pearsall, WR, Florida
How he fits
This feels like either a reach or an insurance policy in case Brandon Aiyuk ends up getting dealt. Florida receiver Ricky Pearsall will make some tough catches and could wind up running plenty of interior routes alongside tight endGeorge Kittle. A five-year veteran with three seasons at Arizona State and his final two at Florida, Pearsall (6-1, 189) has built a reputation for his toughness and ability to haul in difficult catches. Last year with the Gators, Pearsall caught 65 balls for 965 yards (14.8 yards per catch) and four scores. As a junior, Pearsall averaged 20.0 yards per catch (33-661) with five scores. At the combine, Pearsall ran a 4.41-second 40 and had a 42-inch vertical jump. — Scott Dochterman
Dane Brugler’s analysis
Pearsall wasn’t a home-run hitter on tape, but he is a reliable receiving option with the route quickness and ball skills to quickly become a favorite target for an NFL quarterback. He has the skill set and toughness to work inside or outside and return punts at the next level.
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David Lombardi’s analysis
49ers draft Ricky Pearsall: How he fits, pick grade and scouting intel
Grade: B-
GO DEEPERNFL Draft 2024 Round 1 grades: Falcons, Broncos get Cs for Penix, Nix; Bears earn two A'sRound 2
No. 64: Renardo Green, CB, Florida State
How he fits
A five-year player at Florida State who appeared in more than 50 college games, Green is a competitive press corner who plays with great length and physicality both in coverage and against the run. He’s small, however, and might have issues with stronger receivers on the outside or in the box. The tackle board sort of wiped out here, so I don’t mind going cornerback. I do think there were better CB options, though, as Green has one interception in those 52 games and got flagged too often for my taste. — Nick Baumgardner
Dane Brugler’s analysis
Green is a polarizing prospect among NFL teams, because he doesn’t have desired size, speed or ball-tracking skills and won’t be a fit for every scheme. But his play personality and ability to quickly find his balance mid-coverage helps him stay connected and will give him a chance to earn a meaningful role in an NFL secondary.
Matt Barrows’ analysis
49ers draft Renardo Green: How he fits, pick grade and scouting intel
Grade: C+
GO DEEPERNFL Draft Rounds 2 and 3 grades: Eagles earn A for DeJean, Commanders get mixed reviewsRound 3
No. 86: Dominick Puni, G, Kansas
How he fits
It’s a bit surprising Puni made it this far down the line. The former Kansas standout is a guard/tackle prospect who got a lot of pass protection work in college but also translates well inside to guard. A big man (33 3/8 arms, 10 1/8 hands), Puni needs to make sure he’s consistent with his bend — especially if he sticks outside – but there is a lot of potential here. Possibly even inside at center. — Nick Baumgardner
Dane Brugler’s analysis
Puni will get himself in trouble bending at the waist or letting his pads rise, but he plays big, powerful and sends a harsh message with his hands while staying controlled through contact. He can play tackle, if needed, but projects best as an NFL starting guard or center.
Matt Barrows’ analysis
49ers draft Dominick Puni: How he fits, pick grade and scouting intel
Grade: B+
Round 4
No. 124: Malik Mustapha, S, Wake Forest
Dane Brugler’s analysis
Modeling his game after Budda Baker, Mustapha delivers immediate stopping power as a tackler and does a great job balancing power and poise to stay under control as a finisher. Though he reads play development well in coverage, he lacks the twitch to stay connected in man-to-man or overlap zones. Overall, Mustapha doesn’t have the tape of an instinctive ballhawk, but he is a passionate competitor with outstanding range versus the run and disciplined movements in coverage. With a skill set similar to Jordan Whitehead, he should shine on special-teams coverages in the NFL and will push for defensive snaps early in his career.
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David Lombardi’s analysis
The 49ers needed to add a safety and they do so in the fourth round in Malik Mustapha — one of the best run defenders in the draft at the position. Mustapha is a ball of muscle at 5-10, 210 pounds. He ran 4.5 40 and didn’t commit a single penalty over four years in college. He also has gunner experience. Special teams will be important to make a crowded 49ers’ 53-man roster.
No. 129: Isaac Guerendo, RB, Louisville
Dane Brugler’s analysis
Guerendo is an elite tester with rare speed and acceleration for his size (along with DK Metcalf, he’s one of just two 220-plus-pound prospects in the last 20 years to run a 4.33-second or better 40-yard dash at the combine). However, his decision-making isn’t as explosive as his feet, which keeps him from always playing up to his testing numbers. Overall, Guerendo doesn’t have an impressive body of work, but his build, explosiveness and ability on passing downs (blocking and receiving) suggest his NFL resume will far outshine what he did in college — if he can stay healthy. Along with competing on special teams, he projects best in a one-cut, outside-zone scheme that will give him runways to show off his speed.
Matt Barrows’ analysis
Guerendo is very much a Kyle Shanahan pick in that he’s a one-step-and-go runner. Guerendo ran a 4.33 at the combine. He’s similar to former 49ers running back Raheem Mostert.
No. 135: Jacob Cowing, WR, Arizona
Dane Brugler’s analysis
Cowing plays with a jetpack on his back — sometimes to his detriment — and consistently shows up for his quarterback (finished his college career with a reception in 57 straight games, the second-longest streak in FBS history). With his track speed and small frame, he could receive the “Tank Dell bump” from teams during the draft process, although he isn’t quite as crisp or sudden as the Houston Texans’ receiver. Overall, Cowing is limited in areas by his size (smaller catch radius, average play strength), but he can separate vertically and specialize in getting open underneath. He projects as a dependable slot option and can become a regular NFL starter with some route-pacing tweaks.
David Lombardi’s analysis
A draft flurry focused on speed: A few minutes after picking Guerendo, the 49ers selected the 5-8 Arizona receiver Cowing, an explosive target with 4.38 speed who delivered nearly 4,500 receiving yards in college. Cowing’s size says slot but his speed screams versatility across the wide receiver spots.
Round 6
No. 215: Jarrett Kingston, OL, USC
Dane Brugler’s analysis
Kingston fills out his jersey well, although his lack of length shows up at contact, and he struggles to buckle down against long-armed power. He needs to make tweaks to his technique to fully unlock his core strength and twitch, but he has good eyes and processes quickly. Overall, Kingston has the athletic tools to be a project for an NFL offensive line coach (maybe at center), but his undisciplined tendencies and shorter arms are potential roadblocks.
David Lombardi’s analysis
He’s very explosive and has played both tackle and guard, but shorter 32-inch arms will probably mean center/guard at the NFL level.
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Round 7
No. 251: Tatum Bethune, LB, Florida State
Dane Brugler’s analysis
A run-and-hit player, Bethune is a violent striker with large hands, relentless play demeanor and better power in his frame than expected. Though he is consistently around the football, because of his warp processing speed, his positioning and balance will suffer at times, leaving him out-leveraged and falling off tackle attempts. Overall, Bethune is a fast-flow linebacker who plays with intent and coverage upside, but his aggressive nature will be used against him at the NFL level. He projects as an NFL backup and special teamer.
(Photo: John Smolek / Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
