Perfect Picks 2024: San Francisco 49ers
Kyle Shanahan and the San Francisco 49ers came up short in the Super Bowl and defensive coordinator Steve Wilks paid the price, losing his job. Now the 49ers must build a challenger once more while taking advantage of QB Brock Purdy’s minimal salary. With plenty of high-priced veterans, immediate starters from the draft will be key to making another title run.
As part of our Perfect Picks series, Rory-Joe Daniels gives you his selections for the 49ers 2024 draft, as well as going in-depth on four players from each stage of the weekend.
Round 1 - Darius Robinson, Edge, Missouri
Defensive end Darius Robinson saw his draft stock rise on the back of a strong showing at the Senior Bowl. Robinson is 6’5, 296lbs so can be used across the defensive front, however I prefer him from a wide alignment, where he can take advantage of his long arms to test offensive tackles. He had 42 pressures, including 9 sacks, for a Missouri side who surprised many in the SEC.
The 49ers are no strangers to this style of defensive lineman. Arik Armstead and DeForest Buckner were similarly sized and used in various ways. Having Robinson as an option across from Nick Bosa could make re-signing Chase Young unnecessary.
Round 2 - Dominick Puni, OL, Kansas
The 49ers offensive line is not stacked with household names but it is anchored by a future hall-of-famer. Trent Williams has been the elite piece the group needed however, age will become a factor sooner rather than later. You can expect the 49ers to be on the hunt for long-term solutions and short-term depth at the spot.
Dominick Puni from Kansas offers both. He played left tackle for the Jayhawks and has the stature to continue in that spot at the next level. For now, he may be best served switching to guard where his physical run blocking and movement ability are plus points. His pass blocking needs refinement but learning from Williams would likely help significantly.
Mid Round Gem - Beau Brade, Safety, Maryland
Ji’Ayir Brown stood in well for injured safety Talanoa Hufanga but the secondary still looks patchy for the 49ers. Veteran Tashaun Gipson is set to hit free agency which means the spot could be one San Francisco seeks to add depth at.
Maryland’s Beau Brade is versatile and has split his snaps between the box and operating at a deeper level. His tape shows his physicality in the tackle but he also has four pass breakups in 2023 to highlight his coverage ability. Cutting down his missed tackle rate of 18% will be key at the next level and likely see his stock fall to day 3.
Late Round Sleeper - Carter Bradley, QB, South Alabama
If anybody knows the value of drafting a late-round, developmental QB then this is the team. Brock Purdy was Mr Irrelevant and you wouldn’t put it past John Lynch taking another flier on Day 3 to help beef out the position group. Both Sam Darnold and Brandon Allen are free agents, and even if one returns there would be room for a player like Carter Bradley.
Shanahan has already spoke of how Purdy’s intelligence allows him to run this offense at such a high level. South Alabama’s Bradley is a coach’s son (Dad Gus is a distinguished DC at the NFL level), and shows similar characteristics. In the Senior Bowl, scouts were surprised by Bradley’s proficiency and how settled he appeared. He could convert that into a late-round selection come April.
Draft in full
Round 1 – Darius Robinson, DE, Missouri
Round 2 – Dominick Puni, OL, Kansas
Round 3 – Nehemiah Pritchett, CB, Auburn
Round 3 – Javon Baker, CB, UCF
Round 4 – Beau Brade, S, Maryland
Round 5 – Trevor Keegan, OL, Michigan
Round 6 – Tim Smith, DL, Alabama
Round 6 – Carter Bradley, QB, South Alabama
Round 6 – JJ Weaver, Edge, Kentucky
Round 7 – Brevyn Spann-Ford, TE, Minnesota
