49ERS' 2024 NFL DRAFT CAPSULES
First round, No. 31 overall:
Ricky Pearsall Jr., wide receiver, Florida, 6-1, 189
Credentials: Experienced with five seasons at Arizona State and Florida with 159 receptions for 2,240yards, 14touchdowns and 21carries for 253yards and five scores. With Arizona State, the former youth league quarterback completed all three passes for 111yards.
How he fits: Joins Brandon Aiyuk and Deebo Samuel, and presumably Jauan Jennings as one of the top four receivers, with the likelihood of moving up the depth chart in 2025 when the salary cap crunch hits after Brock Purdy signs an extension. The hope is he can contribute as a punt return specialist immediately.
Second round, No. 64 overall: Renardo Green, cornerback, Florida State, 6-0, 186
Credentials: Physical corner who plays bigger than his size with 148career tackles, seven tackles for losses, and half a sack in his college career. A 13-game starter as a senior who led the ACC with 13 pass breakups. Had 14 PBUs overall, good for 14th in the nation.
How he fits: Physicality suggests Green compete to be the slot corner, with Deommodore Lenoir zeroing in as an outside corner opposite Charvarius Ward.
Third round, No. 86 overall: Dominick Puni, guard, Kansas, 6-5, 313
Credentials: A lot of college experience with 38starts in 42games for Central Missouri (2018-21) and Kansas (2022-23). Good athlete who played volleyball and competed in track and field in high school. He allowed zero sacks in 25starts at left tackle for Kansas and showed he can play center and tackle.
How he fits: Puni will be used inside at guard initially, but the 49ers are open to him playing anywhere he can contribute. He could compete with Spencer Burford at right guard and be a candidate at left guard in 2025when Aaron Banks hits free agency.
Fourth round, No. 124 overall: Malik Mustapha, safety, Wake Forest, 5-11, 206
Credentials: Richmond transfer was an AllAtlantic Coast Conference pick for the Demon Deacons in 2023. Compact build, ability to hit and make tackles for losses suggests an in-the-box safety. Has modeled his game after Arizona safety Budda Baker. Selected with the pick 49ers received from Dallas for Trey Lance.
How he fits: Projected starters are Ji'Ayir Brown, a third-round pick a year ago, and Talanoa Hufanga, who is coming off ACL surgery. Depending on how Hufanga recovers, Mustapha could compete for playing time at strong safety. Regardless, Mustapha should be an instant special teams contributor.
Fourth round, No. 129 overall: Isaac Guerendo, running back, Louisville, 6-0, 221pounds
Credentials: Despite starting just once in 41 games at Wisconsin and his final season at Louisville, Guerendo averaged 6.0 yards per carry (231carries, 1,392yards, 17touchdowns, 42receptions for 385yards). At Louisville, Guerendo had 810yards on 132carries and 11 touchdowns as a senior. He averaged 23.9 yards per kickoff return in his last season at Wisconsin and 19.2at Louisville.
How he fits: He has an intriguing power/speed combo on kickoff returns and projects well as a one-cut runner in the 49ers' outside zone run scheme. The 49ers have whiffed before on running backs such as Joe Williams (fourth round 2017), Trey Sermon (third round, 2021), and Ty Davis-Price (third round, 2022).
Fourth round, No. 135 overall: Jacob Cowing, wide receiver, Arizona, 5-8, 168
Credentials: Speedy wideout was productive at both UTEP and Arizona with 316receptions for 4,477 yards and 33 touchdowns in 58 games with 52starts. The last two seasons at Arizona had 175catches for 1,882yards and 20 touchdowns. Slight of build but didn't miss a game due to injury in five years.
How he fits: Can assume the Ray-Ray McCloud role as a receiver and return specialist, particularly punts, if the 49ers want to keep first-round pick Pearsall out of harm's way. Another explosive weapon that fits into Shanahan's system which creates mismatches. Along with Pearsall, Cowing makes for a precarious existence for Danny Gray, who remained on 49ers fringe for two seasons.
Sixth round, No. 215 overall:
Jarrett Kingston, guard, Southern California, 6-4, 306
Credentials: All-State defensive lineman from Anderson High in Northern California spent five seasons at Washington State, starting under Mike Leach, before playing his senior year of eligibility at USC. Played six games at right guard and five at right tackle but projects as a guard.
How he fits: Kingston joins the crowd on the 49ers' interior line, which includes starters Aaron Banks and Spencer Burford, swing reserve Jon Feliciano, Nick Zakelj, and Ben Bartch.
Seventh round, No. 251 overall: Tatum Bethune, Florida State, linebacker, 5-11, 227
Credentials: Played three seasons at Central Florida and two at Florida State. Had 28 tackles for loss in 61games with 33starts in his career. Team captain who led the Seminoles in tackles. Had 14career passes defensed with four interceptions.
How he fits: Bethune is built like last year's draft picks Jalen Graham and Dee Winters and injured incumbent starter Dre Greenlaw — a smallish linebacker who can run, make plays, and contribute on special teams.