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The San Francisco 49ers 2022 NFL draft class was not particularly good. Quarterback Brock Purdy saved it by becoming a franchise quarterback. While that group of players hasn't panned out, the following year's class is on track to actually be worse.
It's worth noting the 49ers were at a bit of a disadvantage going into the draft. They didn't have their first-round pick in 2023 because they dealt it in their move up to the No. 3 pick in the 2021 draft. They also sent their second-round pick in 2023 to the Carolina Panthers in the Christian McCaffrey trade.
Still, the picks they did not have not borne much fruit through two full seasons. Here's where things stand with each of the team's nine selections from that year heading into a crucial third season for the class:
Brown struggled last season in his first year as a full-time starter. Perhaps his role changed some after Talanoa Hufanga's injury, but he's entering a 2025 season where he's not a shoo-in to start at one of the two safety spots. The 49ers brought in two free agents who can play safety, and they drafted Marques Sigle in the fifth round. There's still a chance Brown makes a leap in Year 3 and wins the starting job and has a successful third season to help save the top of this draft class. For now, he's a huge question mark entering a make-or-break season.
Moody struggled out of the gate as a rookie, but came through with a couple of huge kicks in the team's Super Bowl loss to the Kansas City Chiefs. He backed that up by having the worst season for a kicker with at least 30 field goal attempts since 2012. It was always a head-scratcher that the 49ers selected a kicker in the top 100 of a draft where they didn't have first or second-round picks. Now Moody will have to battle to keep his roster spot in Year 3.
Woof.
There will be a ton of competition at cornerback this offseason which puts Luter's roster spot in jeopardy. He's played 10 games as a pro with 67 snaps on defense and 148 on special teams. If he's not a player who can contribute defensively, he could wind up on the outside looking in at final cuts.
Last year was a real opportunity for Beal to break out and earn a regular spot in the 49ers defensive end rotation. He only played 149 snaps and turned in two pressures and no sacks on 57 pass rush snaps according to Pro Football Focus. His path to a roster spot in Year 3 is a steep climb.
Winters has a chance to help salvage this class. He'll be in the mix to take over Dre Greenlaw's spot as the Will linebacker next to Fred Warner. Last season he was blocked by DeVondre Campbell, who was given the WLB job. This year there'll be competition for that spot, but Winters should firmly be in the mix to give the 2023 draft some representation in the starting lineup.
There's always a chance a Willis breakout season happens in his third year. Early returns indicate he could wind up missing out on a roster spot entirely. In 17 games as a pro he has played 73 offensive snaps. His special teams contributions may be his path to making the team.
Bell was let go last season after struggling to find a role on either offense or special teams.
There was some excitement around Graham after he put together a strong preseason as a rookie. He wound up getting cut last season and joining the Washington Commanders practice squad. The 49ers re-signed him off the Commanders' practice squad and he wound up playing 36 snaps on defense as injuries piled up at LB. He'll be in the mix for a starting job, but he could also miss out on a roster spot entirely.
This article originally appeared on Niners Wire: NFL draft: 49ers 2023 class may be worst of Kyle Shanahan era
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It's worth noting the 49ers were at a bit of a disadvantage going into the draft. They didn't have their first-round pick in 2023 because they dealt it in their move up to the No. 3 pick in the 2021 draft. They also sent their second-round pick in 2023 to the Carolina Panthers in the Christian McCaffrey trade.
Still, the picks they did not have not borne much fruit through two full seasons. Here's where things stand with each of the team's nine selections from that year heading into a crucial third season for the class:
Round 3, Pick 87: S Ji'Ayir Brown
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Brown struggled last season in his first year as a full-time starter. Perhaps his role changed some after Talanoa Hufanga's injury, but he's entering a 2025 season where he's not a shoo-in to start at one of the two safety spots. The 49ers brought in two free agents who can play safety, and they drafted Marques Sigle in the fifth round. There's still a chance Brown makes a leap in Year 3 and wins the starting job and has a successful third season to help save the top of this draft class. For now, he's a huge question mark entering a make-or-break season.
Round 3, Pick 99: K Jake Moody
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Moody struggled out of the gate as a rookie, but came through with a couple of huge kicks in the team's Super Bowl loss to the Kansas City Chiefs. He backed that up by having the worst season for a kicker with at least 30 field goal attempts since 2012. It was always a head-scratcher that the 49ers selected a kicker in the top 100 of a draft where they didn't have first or second-round picks. Now Moody will have to battle to keep his roster spot in Year 3.
Round 3, Pick 101: TE Cameron Latu
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Woof.
Round 5, Pick 155: CB Darrell Luter
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There will be a ton of competition at cornerback this offseason which puts Luter's roster spot in jeopardy. He's played 10 games as a pro with 67 snaps on defense and 148 on special teams. If he's not a player who can contribute defensively, he could wind up on the outside looking in at final cuts.
Round 5, Pick 173: DE Robert Beal
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Last year was a real opportunity for Beal to break out and earn a regular spot in the 49ers defensive end rotation. He only played 149 snaps and turned in two pressures and no sacks on 57 pass rush snaps according to Pro Football Focus. His path to a roster spot in Year 3 is a steep climb.
Round 6, Pick 216: LB Dee Winters
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Winters has a chance to help salvage this class. He'll be in the mix to take over Dre Greenlaw's spot as the Will linebacker next to Fred Warner. Last season he was blocked by DeVondre Campbell, who was given the WLB job. This year there'll be competition for that spot, but Winters should firmly be in the mix to give the 2023 draft some representation in the starting lineup.
Round 7, Pick 247: TE Brayden Willis
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There's always a chance a Willis breakout season happens in his third year. Early returns indicate he could wind up missing out on a roster spot entirely. In 17 games as a pro he has played 73 offensive snaps. His special teams contributions may be his path to making the team.
Round 7, Pick 253: WR Ronnie Bell
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Bell was let go last season after struggling to find a role on either offense or special teams.
Round 7, Pick 255: LB Jalen Graham
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There was some excitement around Graham after he put together a strong preseason as a rookie. He wound up getting cut last season and joining the Washington Commanders practice squad. The 49ers re-signed him off the Commanders' practice squad and he wound up playing 36 snaps on defense as injuries piled up at LB. He'll be in the mix for a starting job, but he could also miss out on a roster spot entirely.
This article originally appeared on Niners Wire: NFL draft: 49ers 2023 class may be worst of Kyle Shanahan era
Continue reading...
