49ers roster: Mitch Wishnowsky facing do-or-die season in 2022

Perhaps the 49ers learned not to use draft picks to grab specialists, as Mitch Wishnowsky has been merely so-so since they grabbed him back in 2019.

The last two punters who have suited up full-time for the San Francisco 49ers have both been acquired via NFL Draft picks, previously Bradley Pinion (Round 5) back in 2015 and then Mitch Wishnowsky (Round 4) in 2019.

Granted, the Australian native was going to be a draftable player out of Utah his rookie year, one of the few specialists who’d likely receive the accolade of being so.

But, three years into his Niners tenure, the end results have been little more than a mixed bag.

Provided by Pro-Football-Reference.com
Generated 8/3/2022.

A three-way specialist — punter, holder and kickoff specialist — the bulk of stats show Wishnowsky in the middle of the pack and not someone who’d necessarily be worth a draft investment, even if it was on day three.

Recording less than 38 percent touchbacks on kickoffs isn’t particularly great, while his 45.0-yard punt average last season ranked 22nd in the league.

Granted, at least as far as punts are concerned, field position has to be taken into account. Yet looking at Wishnowsky’s 59.7 punt grade from Pro Football Focus, it’s hard to say that mark is anything special.

Why Mitch Wishnowsky improves with 49ers in 2022

Teams opposing San Francisco last season started off offensive drives, on average, on their own 29.5-yard line, which ranked the 49ers’ special teams unit 22nd in that category.

This isn’t all on Wishnowsky, of course, but it does suggest there’s plenty of room for improvement.

He did have 23 punts that pinned opponents inside their own 20-yard line last year, so perhaps that number increases, while getting that hangtime of 4.24 seconds up a little bit more would help matters, too.

Why Mitch Wishnowsky has already reached his peak with 49ers

At 30 years old, it’s not as if Wishnowsky is still growing into his body. And while punters can stay in the league for a long time while avoiding injury (see former Niners punter Andy Lee), what we’ve seen out of Wishnowsky over his first three seasons is probably an indicator of what to expect going forward.

He’s also been notably consistent with his punting average as well, meaning you’re not likely to see him get close to 48 yards per punt or anything like that this season.

What’s on the table for Mitch Wishnowsky, 49ers in 2022?

There’s no reason to assume a different role for Wishnowsky entering the upcoming year. He’ll still be on the same battery San Francisco carried over from last season, joining veteran kicker Robbie Gould and long-snapper Taybor Pepper.

Related Story: Which Niners are on the bubble entering training camp?

As such, the 49ers will be on the hook for Wishnowsky’s $1.156 million owed, per Over the Cap, on the final year of his rookie contract signed shortly after he was drafted.

After that, though, it’s anyone’s guess.

The Niners may want to see a substantially better season from the veteran before considering a contract extension, and even that likely wouldn’t be a lucrative deal of any kind. Of course, should San Francisco turn down the opportunity to re-sign him, Wishnowsky has nevertheless done enough to warrant a new contract elsewhere.

It’s not as if he’s been terrible. Let’s make that clear.

Still, there’s a good chance Wishnowsky is riding out the final year of his 49ers tenure this season, and the team will likely revisit the entirety of its special teams battery (each player is a free agent in 2023) once the offseason hits again.