ESPN analyst Aaron Schatz recently evaluated every NFL team's rookie class from the 2024 season, ranking them based on overall productivity. The Los Angeles Rams claimed the top spot, driven by standout performances from their top picks, linebacker Jared Verse and defensive tackle Braden Fiske. The Rams capitalized on their young talent to secure the NFC West title with a 10-7 record.
"This ranking is based on only production from this season," Schatz explained. "Players who started the entire year -- including undrafted free agents -- are worth more here than players who started only three games, such as Falcons quarterback Michael Penix Jr."
Schatz utilized Sports Info Solutions' total points metric, a comprehensive system that evaluates players by analyzing every element of a play, allowing for cross-positional comparisons. This metric provides a detailed measure of each player's impact.
The San Francisco 49ers' rookie class landed at No. 6 on the list. While the 49ers struggled overall, finishing with a disappointing 6-11 record and last place in the NFC West, their rookie class benefited from significant playing time due to injuries to key contributors.
"Despite the team's overall struggles in 2024, the 49ers can be proud they found some good young talent," Schatz noted. "They needed it after finishing 30th on this list last season."
The most notable contributor was third-round draft pick Dominick Puni, who started all 17 games at right guard, logging 100% of the offensive snaps.
"The best of the rookies was probably right guard Dominick Puni, who finished 11th among qualifying guards in pass block win rate (94.2%) while starting all 17 games," Schatz wrote. "Also on offense, wide receiver Ricky Pearsall played in 11 games after missing time from an injury suffered in an offseason attempted robbery shooting. He had 31 catches for 400 yards with three touchdowns. Fourth-rounder Isaac Guerendo started at running back late in the season and finished with 84 carries for 420 yards and four touchdowns."
The 49ers' rookie contributions also extended to the defensive side of the ball. Cornerback Renardo Green, a second-round pick, and safety Malik Mustapha, a fourth-round pick, helped out in the secondary.
"Rookies also played an important part in the defensive backfield," Schatz highlighted. "Cornerback Renardo Green started seven games and safety Malik Mustapha started 12. Green had a slightly better-than-average coverage DVOA and 13 passes defensed, while Mustapha had 72 combined tackles and five passes defensed with an interception. And on the inside, Evan Anderson had 24 combined tackles in 25% of defensive snaps."
While the 49ers may not have succeeded in the win column, their latest rookie class provided a bright spot for the franchise, offering hope for the future.