5 players 49ers unwisely passed on in 2022 NFL Draft
By Peter Panacy
Cleveland Browns. Jerome Ford. 156. player. 53. . Running Back
No. 2 player 49ers should have drafted: RB Jerome Ford, Cincinnati
The 49ers reached, especially as far as value is concerned, in Round 3 by grabbing Tyrion Davis-Price. There were plenty of high-caliber running backs available much later in the draft, and going this route spoiled Kyle Shanahan’s tendency of finding hidden gems on day three anyway.
However, one can admit grabbing a running back wasn’t a bad idea in itself. While second-year pro Elijah Mitchell is poised to lead this crop in 2022, it’s important to admit injuries hindered his rookie-year production, and his still franchise rookie-record mark of 963 yards could have been better if he played more than 11 games.
Read More: Breaking down 49ers’ selection of Tyrion Davis-Price in NFL Draft
The Niners would have been much better off grabbing someone like Cincinnati running back Jerome Ford, who would have been available with San Francisco’s pick towards the back end of Round 4.
Ford slipped to the Cleveland Browns in Round 5, long after the 49ers made their third-round pick on Davis-Price.
Granted, if Davis-Price turns into a stud, few will care. But if Ford winds up being the bigger contributor, it’ll be one more reason to scoff at the Niners’ selection of Davis-Price at No. 93 overall.