Niner Noise
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San Francisco 49ers: Grading the 2018 NFL Draft class halfway through the season

By Peter Panacy

NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell announces a draft pick by the San Francisco 49ers (Photo by Tom Pennington/Getty Images)
NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell announces a draft pick by the San Francisco 49ers (Photo by Tom Pennington/Getty Images) /
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MINNEAPOLIS, MN – SEPTEMBER 09: Dante Pettis #18 of the San Francisco 49ers watches as the ball bounces after an incomplete pass in the second half of the game against the Minnesota Vikings at U.S. Bank Stadium on September 9, 2018 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by Adam Bettcher/Getty Images)
MINNEAPOLIS, MN – SEPTEMBER 09: Dante Pettis #18 of the San Francisco 49ers watches as the ball bounces after an incomplete pass in the second half of the game against the Minnesota Vikings at U.S. Bank Stadium on September 9, 2018 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by Adam Bettcher/Getty Images) /

D. . WR. Washington. DANTE PETTIS

The 49ers elected to move up in Round 2, selecting former Washington wide receiver Dante Pettis at No. 44 overall.

San Francisco 49ers
San Francisco 49ers /

San Francisco 49ers

A reach? Perhaps. But paired with Kyle Shanahan’s offense, Pettis’ route-running abilities were supposed to provide a unique and dynamic force for San Francisco’s passing game.

But it hasn’t translated over to the field. Not yet, at least.

Part of the problem could be an issue with quarterbacking. With Jimmy Garopollo not making it through three games, and other QBs C.J. Beathard and Nick Mullens looking to hit their respective strides, Pettis’ chances have been slim.

Pettis’ own injuries have hurt too. He suffered a knee injury in Week 4, and he’s played in only six of the 49ers’ nine games to date. During that stretch, however, he’s managed just three receptions for 96 yards and a touchdown.

And he’s not contributing on punt returns anymore either — arguably his best attribute in college.

Pettis is slightly undersized, standing at 6-foot-1 and 195 pounds. Learning to deal with the physicality at the pro level will be one of the means by which Pettis can improve his standing.

For now, this isn’t looking to be the best pick.