Draft Grade: 49ers use Trey Lance pick, take flashy safety Malik Mustapha

Last month, the San Francisco 49ers bolstered their safety group by drafting Malik Mustapha in the fourth round, providing insurance for a position with many question marks heading into the 2024 season. Talanoa Hufanga continues to recover from the torn ACL he suffered in November. Ji'Ayir Brown gained valuable experience filling in for the All-Pro safety but is only entering his second NFL season. Additionally, the 49ers' other starting safety last season, Tashaun Gipson, remains a free agent. Mustapha earned high marks from Pro Football Focus for his play against the run (87.5 grade). Although the 49ers finished with the third-ranked run defense last season, there were some inconsistencies in this area down the stretch. "There's certain things we

The San Francisco 49ers have reportedly signed former USC offensive lineman Jarrett Kingston to his rookie four-year deal. The team made him a sixth-round draft pick, selecting him 215th overall in the 2024 NFL Draft. This leaves wide receiver Ricky Pearsall, the team's first-round selection, as the only unsigned 49ers draft pick. According to OverTheCap.com, Kingston's four-year contract is worth about $4.16 million. This includes a signing bonus of approximately $138,000 and a 2024 salary-cap hit of about $830,000. When asked about his pre-draft evaluations, Kingston said, "I feel like I am athletic. I think whatever like the ratings were, but I feel like I'm really athletic. I think my background playing all these different positions, like defensive and tight

Following free agency, the San Francisco 49ers found themselves ranked third in ESPN's power rankings, trailing only the Kansas City Chiefs and the Detroit Lions. ESPN released its latest power rankings, factoring in the actions of each team during the 2024 NFL Draft. The Lions dropped two spots to No. 4, allowing the 49ers to reclaim the No. 2 slot, still behind the reigning Super Bowl champions. The Baltimore Ravens, previously ranked fourth, now trail San Francisco at the No. 3 spot. ESPN

Draft analysts have declared that the San Francisco 49ers reached with their first two selections, adding wide receiver Ricky Pearsall with the No. 31 overall pick, a move few saw coming, and then cornerback Renardo Green in the second round. We'll have to wait to see their play on the field to determine whether critics are right or wrong, but the Niners acquired some toughness with the two rookies. 49ers director of player personnel Tariq Ahmad recently praised the team's top two selections, making it clear that their toughness on the football field significantly contributed to the decision to draft them. Regarding Pearsall, Ahmad told Matt Barrows of The