Every year around the NFL there is great excitement over the rookies a team drafts during the NFL Draft. The San Francisco 49ers are no exception. The 49ers in recent years have been a star-studded team who typically don’t have many holes to fill on their roster during the draft, but it’s still essential to get their draft picks right if they want to remain competitive for more years and avoid that suddenly the entire team becomes very old. Another strong reason is that in a season injuries can occur to starting players and this is where rookies have to demonstrate why they were drafted. This is the case in the 2024 season for the 49ers and their rookies. The team has unfortunately suffered many injuries, but thanks in part to their talented rookie class they have managed to stay in contention in their division with a 4-4 record as they reach the halfway point of the season.
Remembering the Draft
Let’s remember which were the rookies that San Francisco recruited in the 2024 NFL Draft and from which university they were recruited:
- Receptor, Ricky Pearsall, Ronda 1 (pick 31), Florida
- Cornerback, Renardo Green, Round 2 (pick 64), Florida State
- Offensive lineman, Dominick Puni, Round 3 (pick 86), Kansas
- Profundo, Malik Mustapha, Ronda 4 (pick 124), Wake Forest
- Running back, Isaac Guerendo, Round 4 (pick 129), Louisville
- Receptor, Jacob Cowing, Ronda 4 (pick 135), Arizona
- Linebacker, Tatum Bethune, Ronda 7 (pick 251), Florida State
Reinforcing the Offensive
San Francisco has suffered significant injuries on both sides of the ball, but on offense one of its top stars, star running back Christian McCaffrey, has not even been able to make his debut this season due to a problem with tendonitis in his Achilles heel. Then, in Week 7, unfortunately, the team lost wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk for the rest of the season with an ACL and MCL injury. Throughout this first half of the season, players such as receivers Jauan Jennings and Deebo Samuel Sr. have also missed some games due to injury. Even in training camp, injuries began when offensive lineman Spencer Burford hurt his hand and Puni had to replace him. From that moment on, Puni was so impressive that he has not let go of the title. On the contrary, he has established himself as an undisputed headline. In fact, in this first half of the year in the NFL, Puni has not allowed a sack on Brock Purdy or even a hit from rivals. That’s very impressive after Puni’s eight games as the 49ers’ starting right guard.
Continuing with the offense, McCaffrey’s absence due to injury has caused Jordan Mason to be the starting running back and he has done an excellent job. However, not even Mason himself has escaped injuries. Especially in the game against the Dallas Cowboys, where he missed most of the game with a shoulder injury. Rookie Guerendo then had to raise his hand and did a great job helping the 49ers win that game. Guerendo recorded 14 carries for 85 yards and his first NFL touchdown on a four-yard run. In that same game, rookie receiver Pearsall also added his two cents for the win. Samuel Sr. had to leave the game with a rib problem and then Pearsall carried the ball 39 yards on a huge “Jet Sweep” play like the ones we’re used to seeing from Deebo. Pearsall also added four receptions for 38 yards. A week earlier against the Kansas City Chiefs, Pearsall made his NFL debut and contributed three receptions for 21 yards. As he gets more into rhythm, everything indicates that Pearsall can be a very good piece in the offense each week.
Cowing is the other rookie receiver for the 49ers and he has shown some very interesting things. He had to play a little more in that game against the Chiefs because there San Francisco was left without its three starting receivers due to injury. Cowing managed to catch two passes for 50 yards. His longest reception was 41 yards. His most playing time has come on special teams, gaining confidence as a rookie to return punts since Week 1.
Strengthening the Defense
On the other side of the ball, on defense, the 49ers have also suffered very significant injuries. One of the team’s star linebackers, Dre Greenlaw, has not been able to play this season due to an Achilles tendon injury suffered during Super Bowl LVIII. Safety Talanoa Hufanga returned from his knee injury in that Week 3 game against the Los Angeles Rams, but then injured a wrist that has him on injured reserve for now. Star defensive tackle Javon Hargrave is also on the disabled list due to a triceps injury. All this has meant that the rookies also have to contribute more than expected on defense. And they really have done an excellent job. For example, Mustapha recorded a very important interception in Week 6 against the Seattle Seahawks and recently against the Cowboys in Week 8 he prevented tight end Brevyn Spann-Ford from catching a pass in the end zone that could have changed the course of the game. game. In other words, rookie Mustapha has added security to the safety position by replacing Hufanga who, we know, is a big star.
Green has also done a tremendous job. He also recorded an interception against the Seahawks in a game in which starting cornerback Charvarius Ward was unable to play due to injury and on that play he had to cover the dangerous DK Metcalf. His interception helped get the victory and recently against the Cowboys he did a tremendous job. In fact, Green was rated the top Week 8 rookie in the entire league by Pro Football Focus with a 91.3 grade. For his part, rookie linebacker Bethune recovered a fumble on special teams in that game against the Seahawks, which at the time was also crucial for the 49ers.
We can even add to the list rookie defensive lineman, Evan Anderson, who was not drafted, but the 49ers obtained him as a free agent from Florida Atlantic University and with Hargrave’s injury he has been part of the rotation in the San Francisco defensive line. Anderson has already managed to get a sack in three games in which he has participated and when it is his turn to play, he is usually seen putting strong pressure on the quarterback. He also already caused a fumble.
Compliments
In addition to the examples of the great plays and contributions that each of these young men has made in this first half of the season, the observations of some 49ers stars support them.
“Yeah, I think you probably have to ask them how much they learned, but from my observation it’s actually been a really productive rookie class. Probably the most productive I’ve been around in my career. Just because there are so many people in so many different positions. Not just one guy and then we got Ricky (Pearsall) back hopefully this Sunday. So you know that adds up, but yeah, I think the front office did an incredible job with this draft. Yeah, they brought in a lot of guys. key players who are ready to contribute right away and that’s hard to find,” said star left tackle Trent Williams prior to the Week 7 game against the Chiefs where Pearsall made his debut.
49ers star linebacker Fred Warner highlighted the preparation these rookies have.
“Yeah, actually, I haven’t really had to say much, which has been unique, honestly. You know, I think this has been one of the most prepared groups of rookies we’ve ever had. And yeah, it’s interesting because before “We’ve had rookies that have needed to be ready to come in, but now because they are, because they’re needed and they’re ready, it’s good and they just have to keep growing and getting better every week,” Warner mentioned.
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