We went through every position outside of quarterback to see which players the 49ers might take based on our top 100 big board
It would have been difficult for the San Francisco 49ers to have a better haul on Day 2 of the 2024 NFL Draft. Cornerback Renardo Green and now right guard Dominick Puni look like long-term starters. Can the Niners replicate that success again this year?
The addition of Mykel Williams in the first round allows the 49ers to maneuver in multiple ways on Day 2. With three picks tonight, the defensive line is still a priority. Adding a pass-rushing specialist makes plenty of sense. Whether that’s on the edge or interior depends on where the team wants Mykel to make his home.
The 49ers signed multiple cornerbacks during free agency, but neither of them is projected as a starter for a potential playoff team. Deommodore Lenoir is the nickel, with Green on the outside. A third cornerback has immense value in today’s game. There are also a few safeties that might intrigue Robert Saleh.
It won’t be easy for Kyle Shanahan to pass on a running back or wide receiver. Will the team land a left guard tonight or competition for Colton McKivitz? Will we see four straight defensive picks to start this draft?
Let’s look at some of the best players available at each position of need for the 49ers, starting with defense.
A bunch of us ranked players ahead of the draft. We’ll go off this big board for this exercise.
Defense
Edge rushers
We have 10 edge rushers in the top 100 if the 49ers were to double dip:
(17) Donovan Ezeiruaku
(18) Mike Green
(40) Nic Scourton
53) Landon Jackson
(68) Ashton Gillotte
(69) Bradyn Swinson
(73) JT Tuimoloau
(74) Oluwafemi Oladejo
(81)Princely Umanmielen
(83) Kyle Kennard
If the first round was a precursor for what’s to come, and this draft is about injecting youth into the roster, Scourton from Texas A&M is actually younger than Williams. He’s the second youngest player in the class.
He’s the player who fits the “Niners culture.” Scourton plays hard and has a pass rush bag — not many seniors have Scourton’s repertoire — and you can see his toughness on film. However, he doesn’t have the arm length like Williams.
Defensive tackle
We have eight remaining defensive tackles in the top 100:
(43) Darius Alexander
(45) Omarr Norman-Lott
(47) Alfred Collins
(56) Jamaree Caldwell
(82) TJ Sanders
(89) CJ West
(99) Josh Farmer
(100) Jordan Phillips
Alexander will be 25 in August. I was underwhelmed watching him. There’s no doubt that he’s strong and stout as a run defender, but I don’t believe there’s any upside. He also disappeared as games went on, and that was in the MAC — where he never dominated.
Phillips is the same age as Mykel. He’s on the opposite end of the age spectrum.
Norman-Lott, a fifth-year senior, is the antithesis of Alexander. He wins with his first step and has an impressive motor. He also knows how to win with his hands. He seems like the type of defensive tackle the Niners would gravitate toward.
Collins might be off the board for the 49ers after being medically flagged. He also turns 24.
West or Farmer late in the third round would be ideal value picks if the 49ers elect to go in a different direction with their first two picks of the evening. Both players are disruptive when they’re on the field.
Every player listed could contribute as a rookie.
Linebacker
There are four linebackers in the top 100:
(38) Carson Schwesinger
(80) Danny Stutsman
(85) Demetrius Knight Jr
(86) Kain Medrano
There is a Grand Canyon-sized gap after Schwesinger. Day 3 is when the 49ers have found value at linebacker. That’s unlikely to change this year.
Cornerback
We have eight cornerbacks in the top 100:
(9) Will Johnson
(27) Azareye’h Thomas
(28) Shavon Revel Jr.
(41) Trey Amos
(67) Darien Porter
(71) Jacob Parrish
(78) Benjamin Morrison
(90) Quincy Riley
Johnson’s medical rechecks must have been worse than anybody could have ever imagined. We’re at the point where he becomes a value pick.
Revel is a top 10 talent.
Thomas covers like a first-rounder, but his tackling is suspect.
Amos is a safe.
Porter is a wild card.
Parrish is a nickel, but he’s legit.
Morrison might fall like Johnson due to a hip injury. He has first-round ability.
Safety
We have six players in the top 100 at safety:
(46) Xavier Watts
(50) Nick Emmanwori
(61) Billy Bowman Jr.
(62) Andrew Mukuba
(87) Kevin Winston Jr.
(95) Jonas Sanker
If the Niners select a safety today, it’s Saleh telling us that he does not see Ji’Ayir Brown as a starter. Currently, you have Brown and Malik Mustapha on rookie contracts.
Watts found the ball frequently but lacks the NFL athleticism. Emmanwori is the opposite; the traits are there, but he does not appear to be an instinctive player.
Mukuba is small, but he reads the quarterback like Talanoa Hufanga. He’s a playmaker.
Offense
Running back
There are seven running backs ranked in the top 100:
(29) Kaleb Johnson
(54) Treyveon Henderson
(63) DJ Giddens
(65) RJ Harvey
(72) Quinshon Judkins
(92) Devin Neal
(97) Damien Martinez
I wouldn’t blame Shanahan for taking Henderson at 43. He’s a guy who always finds a way to manufacture a big play in a game. Henderson is incredible in pass protection, which means you don’t have to take him off the field. Think Brian Westbrook.
Giddens is my personal favorite.
Wide receiver
There are 10 wideouts in the top 100:
(23) Luther Burden III
(44) Jaylin Noel
(51) Jayden Higgins
(52) Elic Ayomanor
(57) Tre Harris
(64) Jack Bech
(70) Jalen Royals
(84) Tory Horton
(88) Kyle Williams
(94) Saivion Williams
There’s something for everybody here. Burden is more of a gadget-y, Deebo Samuel type.
Noel is a slot receiver who wins down the field.
Higgins is more of a “power” slot that you want to move around. His athleticism will make it difficult for Higgins to fail.
Royals is a YAC merchant.
Horton was a threat in college but would need to land in the perfect situation in the NFL. He reminds me of Kendrick Bourne.
Interior Offensive Lineman
We’re not as high on the interior class. Only three ranked in the top 100:
(32) Marcus Mbow
(55) Tate Ratledge
(59) Jonah Savaiinaea
Mbow and Savaiinaea played tackle in college. Mbow would be a bullseye of a pick for the 49ers. Savaiinaea is not far behind. They could both start right away, at would Ratledge.
They’re not listed, but Jared Wilson, Seth McLaughlin, Miles Frazyer, and Wyatt Milum would all be players worth a top-100 pick who could compete for a starting spot.
Offensive tackles
We have four offensive tackles in the top 100:
(48) Aireontae Ersery
(49) Charles Grant
(76) Jalen Travis
(98) Ozzy Trapaiolo
The success of Puni would lead me to believe I can wait until the third round to find a starter. That might be ignorant, but I’d let recent success get to my head if I were John Lynch — especially considering the state of the roster.
Ersery and Trapilo could start right away. I’d argue that Ersery is closer to Josh Conerly, if not in the same tier, and he was selected in the first round. Trapaiolo should be ranked closer to 50 than 100, in my opinion.
Cameron Williams from Texas is someone worth taking a swing on. I liked him more than Grant and certainly more than Travis.