After losing Super Bowl LVIII to the Kansas City Chiefs, the 49ers are making a flurry of offseason moves to return to the big stage. They'll make a lot of decisions in the 2024 NFL Draft, which begins on April 25 in Detroit, Mich. San Francisco has 10 picks, including the 31st overall pick.
On the latest "49ers Talk" with NBC Sports Bay Area's Matt Maiocco, ESPN analyst Field Yates discussed San Francisco's first-round and later-round targets. Yates' first mock selection had the 49ers picking Georgia offensive tackle Amarius Mims, but it came down to two candidates.
Yates informed Maiocco that Arizona offensive lineman Jordan Morgan and Penn State edge rushers Chop Robinson and Adisa Isaac were also considered. Yates sees Morgan as a "true left tackle" or guard in the NFL, and Trent Williams' uncertain NFL future could benefit him.
Robinson "definitely" has the fastest first step in his draft class among pass rushers, according to Yates. Robinson had only six sacks in over two years, so Yates is concerned about his production. "That's the question," Yates told Maiocco. "Why didn't it come together in the sack department at the college level and will it come together at the pro level?"
Yates thinks San Francisco should examine Penn State's defensive-line depth, whether Robinson or Isaac. The 49ers have three fourth-round and a third-round pick. They might address nickelback, cornerback, or wide receiver, according to Yates.
"I think the corner spot, it's prime for a run right there," he remarked. "There's a wide group of third- or fourth-round prospects, depending on your needs. "I think the cornerback depth in this class is better than maybe some people are giving credit for."
For Yates, Michigan defensive back Mike Sainristill was a "jack of all trades" who played his best football at the team's biggest moments. He called him tough, physical, and a tremendous tackler. Yates thinks the wide receiver room is too. San Francisco and star wideout Brandon Aiyuk have failed to reach a contract deal, which could lead general manager John Lynch and Co. to draft that position. Yates thinks the 49ers will have several options.
"Not only is there depth, but there's whatever you want," he remarked. "If you want a big, speedy man, third-round picks like Georgia transfer Jermaine Burton transferred to Alabama this year. He can be crazy. He really flies. Past season, no drops. Former Alabama wide receiver Javon Baker, UCF. "But there's whatever you want, in terms of style, and I think you could hit it in the second, third, fourth round."
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