2023 NFL Draft: Analysis of San Francisco 49ers Picks
The San Francisco 49ers participated in the 2023 NFL draft on April 29, which concluded in downtown Kansas City, Missouri.
The San Francisco 49ers participated in the 2023 NFL draft on April 29, which concluded in downtown Kansas City, Missouri.
The team selected eight players out of the 259 available picks, beginning with the No. 87 third-round selection on Friday night.
Here is how ESPN’s Nick Wagoner analyzed each of the 49ers’ selections in the draft:
Round 3, Overall Pick No. 87: Ji’Ayir Brown, safety, Penn State
The 49ers chose safety Ji’Ayir Brown from Penn State in the third round with the No. 87 overall pick.
Although the team’s starting lineup is already strong, they are preparing for the future. Brown, who has experience playing deep post at safety and lining up over slot receivers, makes sense as a future replacement for Tashaun Gipson Sr.
Gipson, who signed a one-year deal in the offseason, is 32 years old and closer to the end of his career than the beginning. Additionally, the previous free safety, Jimmie Ward, departed for the Houston Texans in free agency.
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Brown’s versatility can come in handy, regardless of how soon the Niners intend to get him on the field. While Brown probably won’t start as a rookie, it’s possible.
He has 35 games under his belt with the Nittany Lions and has posted 153 tackles, 19 passes defended, and ten interceptions.
Round 3, Overall Pick No. 99: Jake Moody, kicker, Michigan
The 49ers chose Jake Moody, a kicker from Michigan, with the No. 99 overall pick in the third round.
Since coach Kyle Shanahan and general manager John Lynch arrived in 2017, the 49ers have had the peace of mind that comes with veteran kicker Robbie Gould.
However, they let Gould depart in free agency this year, and although he remains unsigned, San Francisco has been keen to get younger (and cheaper) at the position.
In Moody, the Niners get the player widely regarded as the best kicker in the draft.
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While the 99th pick in the draft is high for a kicker (the highest a kicker has been drafted since 2016), it will be worth it if Shanahan doesn’t have to think about who his kicker will be for the next decade or so.
Moody will start as a rookie unless he suddenly forgets how to kick a football through some uprights in the next few months.
The Niners traded for Zane Gonzalez, so they have some competition in place for him if they decide to go that route, but it would take a significant series of events for anyone but Moody to be the team’s kicker in 2023 and beyond.
Round 3, Overall Pick No. 101: Cameron Latu, tight end, Alabama
With the No. 101 overall pick in the third round, the 49ers selected tight end Cameron Latu from Alabama.
For most of the past few years, the team has been open about finding someone to help lighten George Kittle’s load and extend his prime.
They had not seen the right player and relied on veterans behind him until now.
In Latu, the Niners hope they finally have the player who can give Kittle the occasional pause, offer some more options in two tight-end sets, and potentially become an eventual replacement for Kittle.
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As Brown picks earlier, this selection is designed to help the team now while also looking toward the future.
Latu should be able to contribute right away. Kittle is entrenched as the starter, but Latu will battle the likes of Ross Dwelley and Charlie Woerner for the snaps behind him.
If Latu can beat out either, he should get opportunities to play in year 1.
As for becoming a starter, Kittle is under contract through the 2025 season and still playing at a high level. But the Niners would love Latu to replace Kittle whenever he retires.
Round 5, Overall Pick No. 155: Darrell Luter Jr, cornerback, South Alabama
In the fifth NFL draft round, the 49ers selected Darrell Luter Jr. from South Alabama as the 155th overall pick.
This pick is not a surprise since the team has already loaded up on cornerbacks in the middle and late rounds. Luter proved excellent in press coverage in 2022, only allowing a QBR of 19.8.
Additionally, his physical attributes – standing at 6 feet and weighing 189 pounds – make him a bigger cornerback who should fit nicely on the outside behind starters Charvarius Ward and Deommodore Lenoir.
As the 49ers lack proven commodities for depth on the outside, Luter should have an opportunity to earn a role quickly if he can offer some help on special teams.
Round 5, Overall Pick No. 173: Robert Beal Jr, defensive end, Georgia
Robert Beal Jr., a defensive end from Georgia, was selected as the 173rd overall pick in the fifth round.
The 49ers were always going to spend at least one choice on the defensive line, and it took them this long to do so is the only surprise.
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San Francisco already has a loaded defensive line, and Beal is considered a developmental prospect.
Nevertheless, the team does not need much from him in the short term. The competition for snaps behind starters Nick Bosa and Drake Jackson will come down to Clelin Ferrell, Kerry Hyder Jr., Austin Bryant, and Beal.
While it may be hard for Beal to make an immediate impact, he should have a chance to stick on the roster if he can offer some pass-rush specialization and help on special teams.
Round 6, Overall Pick No. 216: Dee Winters, linebacker, TCU
Dee Winters, a linebacker from TCU, was selected in the sixth round as the 216th overall pick.
After losing Azeez Al-Shaair in free agency, the 49ers needed more help at linebacker alongside Fred Warner and Dre Greenlaw.
The team found Greenlaw in the fifth round of the 2019 draft and hopes to strike lightning twice with another speedy linebacker in Winters.
He ran a 4.49-second 40-yard dash and had 7.5 sacks in 2022.
While veteran Oren Burks is slated to start as a strong-side linebacker, Winters should be able to push for playing time quickly while contributing on special teams.
Round 6, Overall Pick No. 247: Brayden Willis, tight end, Oklahoma
In the seventh round of the NFL draft, the San Francisco 49ers made several picks to bolster their roster.
With the 247th overall pick, they selected Brayden Willis from Oklahoma, doubling down on tight ends after taking Cameron Latu earlier in the draft.
Willis is more of an H-back type but still has a path to making the roster.
The Niners have repeatedly kept four tight ends in recent years, and only George Kittle appears to have a spot locked in.
If San Francisco keeps four again, there are three spots for Latu, Willis, Ross Dwelley, and Charlie Woerner.
Round 7, Overall Pick No. 247: Ronnie Bell, wide receiver, Michigan
With the 253rd overall pick, the 49ers selected Ronnie Bell from Michigan to address their need for a wide receiver.
With Brandon Aiyuk needing a contract extension and Deebo Samuel already highly paid, the team may have to make some difficult decisions in the coming years.
Bell will have to compete for snaps in his rookie season, but if he can show that his 2021 ACL injury is behind him, he has a path to a more significant role.
Round 7, Overall Pick No. 255: Jalen Graham, wide linebacker, Purdue
Finally, with the 255th overall pick, the Niners selected Jalen Graham from Purdue to compete for a role as an off-ball linebacker in their 4-3 scheme.
Graham played various roles for the Boilermakers and will undoubtedly need to make his mark on special teams to land a roster spot.
It might be difficult for both Graham and Dee Winters to make the team, but they both have the potential to contribute and provide depth as linebacker.
