Breaking down Michigan K Jake Moody to the 49ers

The San Francisco 49ers certainly caught eyes with their second third-round selection, drafting Michigan kicker Jake Moody with the No. 99 pick, which is the earliest a kicker has been taken since Robert Aguayo, the No. 59 pick in the 2016 NFL Draft by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

Moody was seen as the top kicker in the draft class for the 49ers, according to head coach Kyle Shanahan and general manager John Lynch, who isn't scheduled to pick on Day 3 until No. 155 in the fifth round.

However, this pick comes with significant risk, especially when understanding the history behind the position in the NFL Draft.

There are several gems around the league that are found via undrafted free agency, and those who are drafted aren't taken with a high selection, as the earliest any of those seven kickers were taken was Matt Gay, who was selected with the No. 145 pick, a fifth-rounder.

In fact, only one other kicker has been selected before the fifth round since the Buccaneers infamously took Aguayo in the second round: Cleveland kicker Cade York, who hit only 75% of his field goals during his rookie season in 2022, and ranked 24th in extra point percentage.

Moody is a talented player, but the selection seemed to happen too early for the position, even with the 49ers' current roster situation.

The pick becomes even more emphasized when talented edge rushers, offensive linemen, and cornerbacks were all on the board, where San Francisco could've benefitted from more depth.

Additionally, the 49ers could've looked to trade down into the fourth round if they were deadset on Moody, recouping value where they don't have selections, rather than reaching for a kicker at No. 99.

There is immediate pressure on Moody to succeed, who should now automatically be seen as San Francisco's starting option in 2023, given the investment placed on the kicker, and how history is against his side.