We got our first look at the 2023 49ers rookie class on Sunday in Las Vegas, as the 49ers opened up their preseason against the Raiders with a 34-7 loss.
Like every evaluation at this time of year, these observations must be taken with a grain of salt. Last year, fifth-round pick Samuel Womack burst onto the scene with two interceptions in his preseason debut but he failed to make a real dent in the defensive backfield rotation during the regular season.
A few rookies stood out on Sunday, for good and bad reasons.
The Niners spent their No. 99 overall pick on kicker Jake Moody this past draft, which has only heightened expectations for the rookie specialist. Despite being virtually automatic during training camp so far, even hitting some 60-yarders along the way, Moody went 0-for-2 in his preseason debut.
The Raiders tried to ice Moody before each kick with a timeout. He hooked a 40-yarder left as the clock expired before halftime, then he missed way wide right on a 58-yarder in the second half. After the game, the 23-year-old shook off the missed attempts.
“That second field goal, that one was tough,” Moody said. “Felt confident. 58 yards, it’s a longer one, but I have all the confidence in the world that I can go out there and handle it. Just kinda wash away the first one. The first one felt good. I’m glad it happened now. There’s a lot to learn from it, watch the tape and move on to the next one.”
Moody smiled a bit when asked if he was surprised by the timeouts, but said he’ll try to fix his pre-kick routine going forward.
If he was an undrafted kicker or a sixth-rounder, it might not be so notable, but his third-round status is noteworthy as he tries to succeed ol’ reliable Robbie Gould. Over his final two seasons at Michigan, Moody went 116-of-116 on extra points, along with 52-of-60 on field goals, with a career long of 59 yards.
The good guys
Third-round safety Ji’Ayir Brown, seventh-round wide receiver Ronnie Bell and sixth-round linebacker Jalen Graham each had promising preseason debuts.
Bell is seizing his opportunity to contribute after wide receiver and return specialist Ray-Ray McCloud broke his wrist in practice last week, an injury that’s expected to keep him out until at least Week 4 or Week 5.
Like McCloud, Bell (6-foot, 190 pounds) is an undersized but shifty wideout with great change of direction, though he has a bit more bulk. The 23-year-old got the first crack at kickoff and punt returns while also leading the team with three catches for 58 yards, including a 38-yard dart delivered by Sam Darnold.
Coach Kyle Shanahan loves versatile playmakers and Bell showed off his wheels on a 15-yard end around and also hauled in a 16-yard pass from Darnold in the second half. However, Bell also let a ball slip right through his hands in the fourth quarter, leading to an interception charged to Brandon Allen.
“Thought Ronnie did some really good things in the return game,” Shanahan said. “Had that good jet sweep, made some good passes. His best route was the one he served up for one of the picks.”
Graham was tied for the team lead with six tackles while showing great closeout speed and instincts, while Brown had four tackles and always seemed to be in the middle of the action as he started at safety.
Brown also appeared to be shaking his left hand after making a tackle shortly before halftime, so we’ll have to see if he experienced any soreness. Shanahan didn't mention Brown during his Monday conference call with reporters.
Tight end battle
The 49ers are comfortable with their tight end position, as George Kittle, Ross Dwelley and Charlie Woerner are each intimately familiar with Shanahan’s system.
There seems to be an open competition for the back end of the depth chart, as last year’s scout teamer Troy Fumagalli is trying to beat out rookies Cameron Latu and Brayden Willis. Latu was drafted in the third round out of Alabama, while Willis was drafted in the seventh round out of Oklahoma.
Latu has admittedly been in over his head throughout camp thus far, telling reporters after a drop-filled practice last week, “Obviously, my mind’s spinning, but it’s unacceptable to drop any pass.”
On Sunday, Latu actually caught his only target but proceeded to fumble the ball while fighting for extra yards. Willis, meanwhile, caught his only target and continued to show the nice hands and route running that he’s exhibited throughout camp.
It’s also worth noting he was flagged for a holding penalty that wiped out a 37-yard kickoff return from fellow rookie D’Shawn Jamison.
Latu’s 27 snaps nearly doubled Willis’ 14 snaps, but perhaps the coaching staff will give Willis a longer look in the next game given Latu’s recent struggles.
