Let's grade the 49ers' 2022 NFL draft prospects
The NFL draft didn't have the same buzz as last year's for the 49ers, but that's not to say it didn't have an impact. Let's go to the scorecard.
ROUND 2 PICK 61: DRAKE JACKSON, DE, USC
What I like: While he's listed around 250 pounds, he actually showed up to his pro day above 270 pounds. That extra weight should come in handy as he's likely to line up in Arik Armstead's old 5-technique spot.
He had an incredible broad jump of 124 inches. That's an elite number and typically correlates with the ability to get off the line fast.
What I don't like: Inconsistent play at USC, to say the least. .
What it tells us: With Armstead showing he's a better player on the inside, the 49ers needed a new strong-side defensive end.
Value: Jackson was a player expected to go exactly in this range, and while the defensive end position wasn't a true need, it's something the Niners always want to add.
Grade: A
ROUND 3 PICK 93: TYRION DAVIS-PRICE, RB, LSU
What I like: He can do just a little bit of everything. His vision is impressive and he has some burst when he sees open space. His physicality can make him a nice goal-line option for a team that perhaps needed a bit more size in the backfield. He has a chance to be an outstanding pass protection option which could put him in the fold right away to be the team's third-down back. He has the size and durability to be a bellcow kind of back.
What I don't like: He isn't a classic one step and go running back — the kind that has been highly effective in Kyle Shanahan offenses. He lacks the hands you want in a thirddown back.
What it tells us: Jeff Wilson's inability to stay on the field is a problem in the eyes of Kyle Shanahan. Trey Sermon might not be set for a significant increase in playing time in his second year in the NFL.
Value: Big Yikes. DavisPrice could end up looking like a good value, but this was a serious reach. The most favorable evaluation I could find had him as a late fifth-round pick.
Grade: D+
ROUND 3 PICK 105: DANNY GRAY, WR, SMU
What I like: Ran a true 4.4-second 40-yard dash
with a nice 10-yard split. This is a burner of the highest order.
What I don't like: For as fast as Gray is, his inability to move left and right is jarring. Makes him a bit of a one-trick pony. There are also serious concerns about his frame holding up at the NFL level — he fought injuries at SMU.
What it tells us: The 49ers have a quarterback who can push the ball down the field in Trey Lance, and Shanahan likes wide receivers who can take the top off a defense.
Value: Fine. Gray was projected to be an early Day 3 pick. The Niners selected him with the last pick of the third round.
Grade: C
ROUND 4 PICK 134: SPENCER BURFORD, OL, TEXAS-SAN ANTONIO
What I like: He's mean and he's versatile. Sometimes that's all you need in an offensive lineman, especially one that is being brought in for depth. Burford is a ruthless dude on the field and he has the footwork to work Shanahan's wide-zone blocking scheme.
What I don't like: A lot of the positive qualities that Burford showed came against lower-level opponents in Conference USA. Will he be a viable “road grader” when he's facing NFL defensive line?
Value: He was considered a last-ditch Day 2, early Day 3 pick. That's where he went.
Grade: B
ROUND 5 PICK 172: SAMUEL WOMACK, CB, TOLEDO
What I like: An undersized walk-on at Toledo, he worked his way up to be one of the more productive defensive backs in college football. Last season, he was second in the NCAA in pass breakups.
What I don't like: He's undersized and while he has nice shadowing ability, his tackling was extremely questionable in the Mid-American Conference.
Value: Yikes. Womack was considered a seventh-round pick at best. He was not a part of any mock drafts on NFL Mock Draft Database. And they take everyone.
Grade: D
ROUND 6 PICK 187: NICK ZAKELJ, OL, FORDHAM
What I like: He's a tall, heavy offensive lineman who is light on his feet. He has great get-off at the line of scrimmage and he can engage and move at the same time.
What I don't like: He can be pushed around a bit.
What it tells us: The Niners are keen to develop a left tackle. With Trent Williams fighting injuries at the end of last season and Mike McGlinchey coming back from a quad injury, depth is vital.
Value: Fine. There aren't a lot of open-source evaluations of Zakelj — typical for an FCS player — but those who did watch him thought this was a good spot for him.
Grade: B
ROUND 6 PICK 220: KALIA DAVIS, DL, UCF
What I like: Serious burst off the line and a great motor to chase down plays. This is the prototypical one-gap defensive tackle the 49ers have found year after year. They know what they're looking for on this front.
What I don't like: He played only five games the last two seasons and is coming off an ACL injury. Value: Quite good. Grade: B
ROUND 6 PICK 221: TARIQ CASTRO-FIELDS, CB, PENN STATE
What I like: He's physically gifted, plays larger than his listed size, and is aggressive on every snap, no matter if it's a pass or a run.
What I don't like: He's not a sure tackler and his ball skills are questionable. He broke up a ton of passes at Penn State, but more than a few of those were picks that were missed.
Value: Just fine. This is a player with upside and a nice track record against top-flight competition.
Grade: A
ROUND 7 PICK 262 (MR, IRRELEVANT): BROCK PURDY, QB, IOWA STATE
What I like: Played a lot for an Iowa State program that became markedly better because he was at quarterback.
What I don't like: He's small and lacks a big-time arm. This is a Nick Mullens-like bet. Which is to say he has backup potential but shouldn't be starting a bunch at the NFL level.
What it tells us: The 49ers don't expect to keep Jimmy Garoppolo on the roster at the start of the season
Value: No problem here. There might have been a bidding war for Purdy as an undrafted free agent. Niners save some money by drafting him.
Grade: A