The San Francisco 49ers' 2024 draft class made a bigger impact in their first NFL season than those of recent years. Injuries across the roster forced several rookies into action earlier than expected, giving them a chance to contribute immediately.
It was a bizarre year for the 49ers. The team entered the season with Super Bowl aspirations but finished with just six wins, falling short of the playoffs. The strangeness extended to the rookie class as well. First-round pick Rick Pearsall, a wide receiver, missed the first six games after being shot in the chest during a robbery attempt.
With the 2024 season now in the books, NFL Media's Gennaro Filice ranked every team's draft class, placing the 49ers at an impressive No. 8 on the list.
Filice highlighted Pearsall's impressive play down the stretch, noting the rookie wideout flashed his potential by hauling in 14 receptions for 210 yards and two touchdowns over the final two games.
"But the 49ers obviously don't crack the top 10 on this list because of that pick -- rather, this ranking is fueled by the four selections that followed," Filice wrote in the feature for NFL.com. "Second-rounder [CB] Renardo Green really came on with increased playing time in the second half of the season, ultimately setting the franchise's rookie record with 13 pass breakups."
Offensive line injuries also opened the door for third-round pick Dominick Puni, who became one of the season's biggest surprises.
"Third-rounder Dominick Puni was a stud from stem to stern, starting all 17 games at right guard and leading the entire team in snaps," Filice commented. "An agile weapon in the run game, Puni shined in Kyle Shanahan's scheme, and his mature approach drew steady praise from veteran teammates."
The 49ers also struck gold with their fourth-round selections, finding players who made an immediate impact when forced onto the field.
"In the fourth round, San Francisco found two staples of this regime: a hard-hitting safety (Malik Mustapha) and a dangerous one-cut back (Isaac Guerendo)," Filice added.
Now, the 49ers turn their attention to the upcoming draft, where they expect to hold 10 picks. The hope is to replicate the success of the 2024 class—restocking the roster, improving depth, and rebounding from a disappointing season.