The San Francisco 49ers' approach to the 2024 NFL Draft may have raised some eyebrows but, a week on from events in Detroit, their former general manager joined a chorus of expert voices praising their work.
Widely anticipated to select an offensive lineman in the first round, the 49ers sprung a surprise with the selection of Florida wide receiver Ricky Pearsall 31st overall.
In addition to increasing talk about a trade of one of Brandon Aiyuk or Deebo Samuel, Pearsall’s selection also drew praise from various corners of the NFL world.C.J. Stroud had a devastated reaction while proving draft coverage for Bleacher Report, clearly stating his desire for Pearsall to end up on the Houston Texans.
Bleacher Report’s Jordan Schultz was told by a personnel director that Pearsall will catch 100 balls as a rookie, while renowned NFL Films analyst Greg Cosell described Pearsall as one of the better route-runners that he’d seen on tape.
In the second round, the 49ers took Florida State cornerback Renardo Green, a pick made clearly with the impending free agency of Charvarius Ward and Deommodore Lenoir in mind.
Green was described as the best press cornerback in the draft by ESPN’s Louis Riddick, and Chris Simms posted on X (formerly Twitter) that the former Florida State corner is “made for the 49ers’ defensive scheme". Fourth-round safety Malik Mustapha has been widely praised as a steal by the 49ers. Immediately after his selection, NFL Media’s Daniel Jeremiah hailed him as “One of the best tackling players in the secondary in this year's draft class."
Former 49ers GM Scot McCloughan had plaudits for another fourth-round selection, that of Arizona wide receiver Jacob Cowing.
"Damn good football player," McCloughan told The Athletic. "He’s quick, fast. He’s instinctive, he’s competitive. He scored a lot of touchdowns, too, and can get down the field and go. He’s cool. He’s really, really cool.
“He’ll tear up rookie minicamp, seven-on-seven, all that stuff. “You’ll be like, ‘Wow!’ you wait and see. He’ll blow your mind. He’s fast and quick. He’s like a little bolt of lightning — gone!”
McCloughan, per Matt Barrows, was less complimentary of Pearsall, indicating a preference for Georgia receiver Ladd McConkey, who was drafted by the Chargers in the second round.
However, he had a second-round pick on Green and a third-round grade on the 49ers' third-round pick Dominick Puni, believing he could play two positions on the offensive line as a pro.
“I think he’ll end up being a guard,” McCloughan said of Puni. “He’s really good with his hips and feet. Really good. But I’m not so sure he can’t be a left tackle when it’s all said and done … if he gets stronger.”
McLoughan was not a fan of the 49ers' trade up in the fourth round for running back Isaac Guerendo, saying of the former Louisville back: "He had a good year. But (he’s) nothing special. Unless he can return kicks and play special teams, I’d be surprised if he makes the team."
Having given up multiple picks for the opportunity to draft Guerendo, it would be a huge surprise if he did not make the team. Save for his opinion of that selection, however, McCloughan appears to share the sentiments of the many expert voices who have expressed a fondness for what the 49ers did in the draft.
The 2024 draft had long since been highlighted as a crucial one for the Niners. We obviously won't have an indication of whether they got it right until this class gets out on the field, but plenty clearly believe that Kyle Shanahan and John Lynch nailed it this year.
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