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Grading players who have yet to take an NFL snap may seem pointless, especially this early in the offseason. However, it's a way to gauge the perception of how each team improved based on its projected pre-draft needs.
Below are the grades issued by some of the more well-known analysts and writers within the media and what they had to say about the 49ers' 2023 draft class. Quotes accompany the explanations provided by each analyst for the given grade.
49ers Draft Picks
- Round 3: Ji'Ayir Brown, S, Penn State
- Round 3: Jake Moody, K, Michigan
- Round 3: Cameron Latu, TE, Alabama
- Round 5: Darrell Luter Jr., CB, South Alabama
- Round 5: Robert Beal Jr., EDGE, Georgia
- Round 6: Dee Winters, LB, TCU
- Round 7: Brayden Willis, TE, Oklahoma
- Round 7: Ronnie Bell, WR, Michigan
- Round 7: Jalen Graham, LB, Purdue
Mel Kiper, ESPN: B-
2023 NFL draft grades for all 32 teams: Mel Kiper's steals, sleepers
"And yet, I like a bunch of these picks, except for kicker Jake Moody (99) in Round 3," wrote Kiper. "I get that it's a need, but that's incredibly early, and I didn't even have him as the best kicker in the class. I had a second-round grade on safety Ji'Ayir Brown (87), so I'm a fan of his potential. Tight end Cameron Latu (101) has upside, and he'll get to learn the ropes from George Kittle. Linebacker Dee Winters (216) went about 60 picks after I thought he would. Brayden Willis (247) is going to make an impact as a rookie special-teamer."
Kiper questions not drafting a tackle to replace Mike McGlinchey. The 49ers admit to having a lot of confidence in Colton McKivitz. Clearly, Kiper is less confident.
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Gilberto Manzano, Sports Illustrated: C+
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"San Francisco got it right with Talanoa Hufanga two years ago in the fifth round," wrote Manzano. "Brown has similar traits to Hufanga as a physical playmaker with solid ball skills. With a stacked roster, the 49ers had the flexibility to reach for Moody, the best kicker in the draft. Moody could become a reliable kicker in the NFL, but it's risky to expect a rookie to make game-winning kicks for a team with Super Bowl aspirations. The 49ers added to their talented defense with Luter and Beal."
Chad Reuter, NFL.com: B-
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There is no change from the overall grade issued to the 49ers' draft class from a year ago. Reuter actually issued grades for each day, with San Francisco lacking a Day 1 pick due to the trade for Trey Lance. That earned the team a C+ for the first day.
The team earned a B- for Day 2 and a B+ for Day 3.
"Luter is a fierce cornerback who will step in for the Niners as a rookie, while Beal will likely back up veterans on the edge. I love Winters and Graham at linebacker, while Bell plays receiver with linebacker-type toughness."
Vinnie Iyer, Sporting News: B-
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Iyer is among those who penalized the 49ers for lack of a first- or second-round pick while grading the team's draft haul. Still, his grade for this year is better than last year's C- mark.
"The 49ers' draft capital didn't start until the third round, so this grade reflects that," wrote Iyer. "Brown and Moody give them immediate impact as contenders, as Brown can start over Tashaun Gipson Sr. next to Talanoa Hufanga and Moody is a bigger leg and needed young upgrade over Robbie Gould."
Nate Davis, USA Today: C+
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A slightly lower mark than last year's B- grade. Again, a lack of picks until the third round doesn't help. However, Davis wasn't as critical as most about using one of those third-rounders on a kicker.
"They didn't pick before the third round due to the trades that brought QB Trey Lance (bad) and the one for RB Christian McCaffrey (good), though obviously neither move has yet brought a long-awaited sixth Lombardi Trophy," wrote Davis. "Third-rounders Ji'Ayir Brown (safety) and Jake Moody (kicker) should be important cogs for a mostly loaded team, and spending a premium pick to replace free agent K Robbie Gould isn't all that crazy."
Pro Football Focus: C-
2023 NFL Draft grades for all 32 teams
Pro Football Focus gave the 49ers draft a significantly lower grade than last year's B+ mark.
While Pro Football Focus praises Moody, like many, the site questions using a third-round pick on the kicker. The analytics site didn't seem as fond of the Latu selection either, saying the tight end's "production just wasn't there in 2022."
As for Day 3...
"Luter has traits to work with on the outside with above-average length and decent straight-line speed and explosiveness," wrote Pro Football Focus. "He took a bit of a step back in 2022 from a production standpoint after allowing just a 27% completion percentage and a 3.9 passer rating in 2021.
"Beal's numbers from his final season in college aren't going to blow anyone away. He produced a 67.8 PFF grade, won 14.1% of his pass-rushing attempts and made a tackle resulting in a defensive stop on just 6.7% of his run-defense snaps. Special teams will likely be his best path to seeing the field.
"Willis played an H-back role at Oklahoma that allowed him to excel as a blocker, grading above 80 in both run blocking and pass protection.
"Bell averaged 2.57 yards per route run in his final season in college. He struggled in contested catch situations, pulling in a reception on just 16.7% of his contested targets, but did produce a 77.4 PFF receiving grade."
Danny Kelly, The Ringer: C-
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San Francisco earned a full lower grade for this year's draft than last year (B-).