The 49ers were in hurry up-and-wait mode throughout the 2023 NFL Draft.
After sitting out the Day 1 action and making a flurry of picks at the end of Day 2, the franchise wrapped up its 2023 draft class with six more picks on Saturday.
Here’s a look at the newest Niners that are headed to Santa Clara.
Player: Ji’Ayir Brown
Position: Safety
School: Penn State
Round: 3
Pick: 87
The 49ers used three draft picks (102, 164, and 222 overall) to move up to select Brown, who could compete for a starting gig right away at safety and in the nickel. Regarded by some as the top safety in the class, Brown earned All-Big-10 honors the past two seasons at Penn State and will make the offseason loss of Jimmie Ward easier to swallow. Brown figures to push Tashaun Gipson for his starting free safety gig and will be in the mix in the slot.
Player: Jake Moody
Position: Kicker
School: Michigan
Round: 3
Pick: 99
Well, this draft pick certainly raised some eyebrows. It’s not quite Raiders-Sebastian Janikowski levels of reach, but to use a top-100 pick on a kicker is certainly bold. The 49ers acquired kicker Zane Gonzalez via trade from the Carolina Panthers last month, but clearly are enamored with Moody, who made 52-of-62 attempts (86.7 percent) the past two seasons. Moody likely would have been available on Day 3, but the 49ers made a shocking decision to find their successor to Robbie Gould.
Player: Cameron Latu
Position: Tight End
School: Alabama
Round: 3
Pick: 101
Tight ends are a big part of Kyle Shanahan’s offense when things are humming. Latu began his career at Alabama as a linebacker before switching to tight end. While his numbers might not be eye-popping – he registered 56 catches for 787 yards and 12 touchdowns the past two seasons – Latu figures to give the 49ers quarterbacks another quality pass-catching and run-blocking tight end along with George Kittle.
Player: Darrell Luter Jr.
Position: Defensive back
School: Southern Alabama
Round: 5
Pick: 155
The 49ers secondary needs to keep filling in depth after losing starting nickel back Jimmie Ward and cornerback Emmanuel Moseley via free agency this offseason. Luter is another versatile option who is most comfortable at corner, but we probably shouldn’t expect much from him this season considering the team also has 2022 fifth-rounder Samuel Womack on the roster and eager to get more playing time.
Player: Robert Beal Jr.
Position: EDGE
School: Georgia
Round: 5
Pick: 173
Beal led the Bulldogs with 6.5 sacks during their title-winning season in 2021 and figures to begin his NFL career as a third-down pass-rush option for the 49ers. Perhaps Beal will find himself in a similar role that 2022 second-rounder Drake Jackson, in the 49ers’ NASCAR package when they use four pass-rushers to get pressure on third downs. Consistency seems to be the biggest hurdle for Beal, who looks great in flashes but can also float through games.
Player: Dee Winters
Position: LB
School: TCU
Round: 6
Pick: 216
The 49ers have reps at strongside linebacker up for grabs after Azeez Al-Shaair joined the Houston Texans in free agency. Winters, listed at 5-foot-11, 227 pounds, can play inside, but the bulk of his experience was as an outside linebacker on the strongside for the TCU Horned Frogs. During last season’s run to the CFP title game, Winters started all 15 games and racked up 79 tackles with an impressive 14.5 tackles-for-loss. He was named the Defensive MVP in the Fiesta Bowl (CFP semifinal) after he posted seven tackles, including three for loss and a 29-yard interception return for a touchdown.
Player: Brayden Willis
Position: TE
School: Oklahoma
Round: 7
Pick: 247
Willis is the second tight end the 49ers have drafted this year after they also selected Cameron Fatu in the third round. Willis profiles as more of a blocking tight end/H-back hybrid who could complement the pass-catching tight ends on the roster. Kyle Shanahan loves block-first guys, so Willis could have a great shot to make the squad.
Player: Ronnie Bell
Position: WR
School: Michigan
Round: 7
Pick: 253
The wide receiver led Michigan with 62 catches and 889 receiving yards during his senior season in 2022 but his 4.54 time in 40-yard dash doesn’t bode well for his ability to create separation at the next level.
Player: Jalen Graham
Position: LB
School: Purdue
Round: 7
Pick: 255
Graham played safety and linebacker during his time at Purdue but probably needs to beef up a little bit to latch on as an NFL linebacker. Listed at 6-foot-2, 220 pounds, Graham is definitely a late-round project as the 49ers final pick of 2023.
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