The San Francisco 49ers, having failed to get the
Job done in
Super Bowl 58, head into the 2024 NFL Draft under huge pressure to nail it with their 10 selections to refresh a top-heavy and expensive roster and help ensure it remains one that can continue to compete for championships well beyond the 2024 season. There is additional scrutiny on this draft because it is the first in which they hold a pick in the first round since 2021, when the Niners made the ill-fated trade up for Trey Lance. Given the 49ers' spotty first-round record, there might be reason for some concern about San Francisco's ability to make the right choice with the 31st overall pick. Under Kyle Shanahan and John Lynch, the 49ers whiffed on their first two picks in round one in 2017 before hitting a solid double with the selection of former starting right tackle Mike McGlinchey ninth overall in 2018. In Nick Bosa and Brandon Aiyuk they drafted first-round superstars but Javon Kinlaw and Lance added to the list of misses. The 49ers have been far more consistent in the later rounds, unearthing a series of gems year after year. Their biggest problem, though, has been on day two. That is not to say the Niners have not had success with some second and third-round picks. They picked franchise cornerstones on day two in successive years in the form of Fred Warner (third round) and Deebo Samuel (second round) in 2018 and 2019 respectively. In 2021 found a long-term starter at left guard in the form of Aaron Banks. But prior to last year's draft, this was the list of the rest of the players picked in those rounds under Shanahan and Lynch: CB Ahkello Witherspoon QB C.J. Beathard WR Dante Pettis S Tarvarius Moore WR Jalen Hurd RB Trey Sermon CB Ambry Thomas DE
Drake Jackson RB Tyrion Davis-Price WR Danny Gray Moore had what looked it might be the game-clinching interception in Super Bowl LIV but otherwise struggled to make an impact on the 49er defense. Witherspoon and Thomas have each had some big-play moments at corner but have mirrored each other in never quite being able to put it all together. Thomas was benched for February's Super Bowl after markedly struggling in the playoffs. Jackson has six sacks in two seasons and has struggled to justify his selection as the 61st overall pick in 2022, his second year in the league curtailed by injury. Pettis had an encouraging finish to his rookie year in 2018 but was never able to make it out of Kyle Shanahan's 'doghouse' after failing to make the necessary strides in 2019. The other four offensive skill-position picks are likely to make 49ers fans very concerned if Shanahan decides to take another wide receiver or running back in the third round. Sermon is the only one of the four to score a touchdown and did not last beyond his rookie year with the team. Davis-Price and Gray were the final two picks of a second day of the draft in 2022 that now looks very poor. There have been better signs from two of the 49ers' three third-round picks in 2023. While tight end Cameron Latu spent the entirety of his rookie season on injured reserve, top pick Ji'Ayir Brown produced some extremely promising performances down the stretch after being promoted to a starting safety role because of injuries and kicker Jake Moody largely justified his top-100 selection despite a rocky patch in midseason. San Francisco might be beginning to get on the right track with day-two picks and that must continue in 2024. The 49ers can't continue to rely on hitting home runs on their day-three picks to keep their roster among the best in the NFL. That is simply not sustainable. For the Niners to have the best chance of remaining at the NFL's summit long-term, they need to make the most of their top-100 picks, starting with the three they have this year. This article first appeared on A to Z Sports and was syndicated with permission.