With the 12th pick (No. 44 overall) in the second round of the 2018 NFL Draft, the San Francisco 49ers selected Washington WR Dante Pettis. The 49ers traded up with the Washington Redskins from the 59th-overall selection to make this pick.
Trade Details SF gets: Picks 44 (used on Pettis) and 142 WAS gets: Picks 59 and 74
In four years with the Huskies, Pettis registered 163 receptions for 2,256 yards and 24 touchdowns. Since his junior year in 2016, he caught 116 passes for 1,583 yards with 22 touchdowns.
As a returner on special teams, Pettis returned an FBS-record nine punts for touchdowns over his collegiate career while averaging 14.2 yards per return. Four of the nine touchdowns came during his senior year. He has 1,274 return yards in 90 attempts during his time at Washington.
The 49ers have not returned a punt for a score in their last 111 games, which is the third-longest active streak in the NFL, per ESPN Stats.
Pettis visited with the 49ers on April 9 as part of the team's pre-draft evaluation process.
NFL.com projected Pettis to be a third- or fourth-round draft pick. He did not participate in the NFL Scouting Combine due to an ankle injury.
"I could [do the workout today]," Pettis said at the combine, "but I know that I could get a better time by doing all of those drills later."
The injury ended up preventing Pettis from working out for attendees at Washington's pro day as well.
Steve Muench of ESPN offered the following post-draft analysis on Pettis:
"Marquise Goodwin and Trent Taylor flashed last year, but Pierre Garçon will be 32 and he missed the final eight games of the 2017 season with a neck injury. Pettis gives Jimmy Garoppolo a vertical threat with the speed to take the top off the coverage. At 6-foot he also gives the 49ers some needed height at receiver. -- "
"Pettis is fast enough to stretch the field and grades out as a sub-package slot receiver who contributes early as a punt returner and potentially develops into an effective No. 2 if he can fill out his frame and get stronger."
Lance Zierlein of NFL.com, who compares Pettis to T.J. Houshmandzadeh, wrote the following about Pettis within his scouting report:
"Solid secondary receiving option who has spent time on his craft and has the ability to attack and uncover on all three levels. Pettis lacks physicality and could struggle to handle in-your-face press corners, so he may see snaps from the slot. While his punt return talent solidifies his draft standing, his ability as route-runner combined with his smooth pass-catching should give him a long, solid career."
Tony Pauline of Draft Analyst wrote the following the following about Pettis within his scouting report:
"Pettis is a solid athlete and polished receiver who will also lend a hand on special teams. He offers possibilities as a third wideout who could line up on the flanks or in the slot and return punts and kicks."
Measurables
Height: 6-1
Weight: 186 lbs.
Arm length: 32 1/4 inches
Hand length: 9 1/2 inches
49ers fill several holes, add another RB in ESPN 7-round mock draft
By Rohan Chakravarthi
Mar 30
The San Francisco 49ers are in a tough situation with the NFL Draft in 2023, as they do not possess their first or second-round picks, with their first selection not until pick #99.
However, the team does have 11 draft picks and is in a position to potentially add much-needed depth at several positions, while fortifying their roster for the future, making it an intriguing, but very important draft for the organization.
ESPN draft analyst Jordan Reid recently conducted a seven-round, 255-pick mock draft where he made every selection for each team, including all of San Francisco's
The San Francisco 49ers have several positions to bolster via the upcoming draft. While most of the starting lineup seems set, the team lost some key depth via free agency.
NFL.com draft analyst Chad Reuter published his latest four-round mock draft and has the 49ers addressing some of those needs. Unfortunately, San Francisco doesn't make a pick until late in the third round, where they own three of the final four selections in that round.
Reuter has the Niners adding BYU offensive tackle Blake Freeland at pick No. 99.
San Francisco watched starting right tackle Mike McGlinchey depart for the Denver Broncos. The
Would the 49ers trade Trey Lance? John Lynch responds
By David Bonilla
Mar 27
John Lynch made one thing very clear on Monday morning during the NFL owners' meetings in Arizona. The San Francisco 49ers like their current quarterback room, comprised of Brock Purdy, Trey Lance, and Sam Darnold.
Lynch clarified one more thing: If Purdy were completely healthy and ready to play come Week 1, he would be the starter. Of course, there is so much uncertainty surrounding Purdy's health.
On March 10, the quarterback underwent surgery to repair the tear of the ulnar collateral ligament (UCL) in his right elbow he suffered in the NFC Championship Game. His recovery is expected to go into September. Although, Lynch and the 49ers are hopeful the second-year
John Lynch explains 49ers' trade for kicker Zane Gonzalez
By David Bonilla
Mar 27
Last week, the San Francisco 49ers seemingly filled their kicker vacancy by trading for Zane Gonzalez, formerly of the Carolina Panthers. Robbie Gould, the team's kicker since 2017, remains a free agent. The 49ers undoubtedly wanted him back but could no longer afford to grant the 40-year-old the kind of money he sought.
Is Gonzalez the answer for the 49ers? He's an answer, but not necessarily the answer in Santa Clara.
"I think it's a move," 49ers general manager John Lynch told reporters on Monday during the NFL owners' meetings in Arizona.
The Panthers planned to release Gonzalez, prompting Lynch to call his Panthers counterpart,
