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NFL Draft grades: San Francisco 49ers put together a strange class with some upside

Charles McDonald
·NFL writer
·1-min read

Weird draft class for the 49ers, but it might not matter. They’ve turned a former "Mr. Irrelevant" into one of the most productive quarterbacks in the NFL. Ricky Pearsall was a surprise and head coach Kyle Shanahan made his patented mid-round running back pick. Yet it’s hard to look at a draft class that has Pearsall as a first-round selection and feel super great about it. Dominick Puni is a name to watch for them as a long-term developmental offensive guard. He’s has the movement skills Shanahan likes in his linemen.

Mustapha might be the best safety in the draft. He’s a strong hitter, a sure tackler and has some underrated chops in coverage. Mustapha, Ji’Ayir Brown and Talanoa Hufanga are a rugged safety trio for the 49ers. This is a great pickup for San Francisco.

This one is funny. It’s like Shanahan can’t help himself but to burn a mid-round pick on a running back every year. Maybe Guerendo bucks the recent trend. This pick has to go in this slot just for the meme.

Round 1, Pick 31: Ricky Pearsall, WR, Florida
Round 2, Pick 64: Renardo Green, CB, Florida State
Round 3, Pick 86: Dominick Puni, OL, Kansas
Round 4, Pick 124: Malik Mustapha, S, Wake Forest
Round 4, Pick 129: Isaac Guerendo, RB, Louisville
Round 4, Pick 135: Jacob Cowing, WR, Arizona
Round 6, Pick 215: Jarrett Kingston, OL, USC
Round 7, Pick 251: Tatum Bethune, LB, Florida State