49ers' solid draft includes one real head-scratcher

The Niners had themselves a draft.

And paired with their first-round pick, wide receiver Ricky Pearsall, San Francisco should have solid depth for this year and beyond.

Here is every Day 2 and Day 3 pick and my grades on the picks, as well as my overall grade for the Niners' draft:

PICK NO. 64: RENARDO GREEN, CB, FLORIDA STATE >>

In my opinion, Green was one of the most underrated cornerback prospects in this class—he's no flash, all substance. While we have no idea what the 49ers' defense will truly be in 2024 and beyond, if they go back to an authentic Cover 3, I like Green as a perfect fit for it.

Like with Pearsall, there will be questions about value. If this draft has taught us anything, every team operates far away from whatever the “consensus” is among draftniks like me.

I thought Green was a viable pick in the third round. Given how this draft unfolded, the Niners are justified in deciding they couldn't wait to take him.

I see Green as an outside corner and likely the starter in short order. He can play the slot, but lacks the kind of punch the Niners prefer from that slot. But by adding a viable cornerback from this draft class, it seems unavoidable now that Demmodore Lenoir will stay in the slot. That's a win for San Francisco — that's Lenoir's best position.

Cornerback wasn't as big a need as the outside world seemed to think it was, but the drop-off from Green to the rest of the draft class is significant. The Niners passed on viable tight end and left tackle prospects to take Green — in the case of Kingsley Suamataia, explicitly — but they did well with Green, who should eventually provide stability to a No. 2 cornerback position that has been chaotic in recent years.

B

GRADE >> PICK NO. 86: DOMINICK PUNI, OL, KANSAS >>

The Niners saw more offensive linemen than projected come off the board before they moved up to select at No. 86. All of the future starting left tackles were off the board, as were the top guards in this class.

With Puni, though, the Niners are betting they landed a quality player at both positions.

In fact, I wouldn't be surprised if Puni started the season as the top backup at all five offensive line positions.

Puni is a high-floor, low-ceiling prospect who showed the run-blocking tenacity the Niners value above all else at Kansas. He's a smooth mover, but he's not fleet of foot. And while he boasts excellent hands, he was too easily stood up in pass protection.

Puni is reminiscent of Colton McKivitz, the man many Niners fans were looking to replace at right tackle in this draft. The Kansas product might be able to start at right guard this season, but in all likelihood, he will be both the Niners' swing tackle and the first man up should someone get injured on the interior – a position he is better suited to play. That includes center, where I think Puni's future might be. He has a chance to be quite excellent there.

C

GRADE >> NO. 124 OVERALL: MALIK MUSTAPHA, S, WAKE FOREST >>

The No. 3 safety on my board, Mustapha is the kind of instinctual playmaker that can change a defense at all three levels.

A powerful hitter, Mustapha will be great in the run game.

But don't sleep on his coverage ability — he's one of the best in this class at turning his hips and covering the deep routes. If someone gets behind him, the play isn't over.

I'll plant my flag: Mustapha will challenge for the starting strong safety spot in Week 1.

A

GRADE >> NO. 129 OVERALL: ISAAC GUERENDO, RB, LOUISVILLE >>

There are two players in recent NFL history to run a 4.3 40-yard dash at 220 pounds or heavier. One is the athletic marvel and 49ers' nemesis, DK Metcaff. Meet the other one, Guerendo.

The Niners like to keep their plans close to the chest. Sometimes the prospects selected don't even know San Francisco liked them. They couldn't help but leak out that they loved Guerendo.

A perfect one-cut-andgo back, he was the second-best running back in his own backfield last season at Lousiville, but you can see that as a plus: there's not much tread on the tire. Plus, the college game is dramatically different than the pro one.

Guerendo is the kind of prospect that will be far better as a pro than a prospect, and he slides into the No. 2 running back role — he's solid as a pass blocker and receiver — for the 2024 season.

A

GRADE >> NO. 135 OVERALL: JACOB COWING, WR, ARIZONA >>

This was a bit of a headscratcher. It's also a warning siren to two players already on the roster.

Cowing is a slot receiver. The Niners don't use one of those often, but the number of plays with a third wide has increased significantly since Brock Purdy took over as quarterback. While the Niners might be able to use him as an X receiver — Brandon Aiyuk's backup — what he will be is an immediate replacement for Ronnie Bell and the future replacement for Jauan Jennings, who is an unrestricted free agent after this season.

Cowing is small but can get open 100 times out of 100 on short and intermediate cutting routes.

C

GRADE >> NO. 215 OVERALL: JARRETT KINGSTON, OG, USC >>

It's easy to see why the 49ers like this guy — he can really move. And when he gets his hands on someone, and he's moving, they go flying.

The 49ers value that more than anything else regarding offensive line play, so they selected Kingston, who appeared destined to be an undrafted free agent.

B

GRADE >> NO. 251: TATUM BETHUNE, LB, FLORIDA STATE >>

It's never a bad idea to take a flyer on a Seminole — that was the best team in the country this past season. (Sorry, Michigan backers.)

Here's the deal with Bethune: he sees the field well, plays with good instincts, and is out for blood. His body does not match his mind. That might not be a problem in the NFL, where what's between the ears takes on even more value.

B+

GRADE >> 49ERS' OVERALL 2024 DRAFT GRADE >>

B+

The Niners had three A picks in this draft, including an A-plus pick in firstround selection Pearsall, and above all else they brought in players that fit their scheme and on-field values to a T.

There's nothing you can bash the Niners about with the players they took. Even their reaches made sense.

Criticism can be levied on players the 49ers did not take in this draft. There will be a few that “got away,” and they'll have to see frequently in the coming years.

Ultimately the answers will come on the field.