49ers stock watch on 2022 NFL Draft rookies after 4 games

49ers running back Tyrion Davis-Price (Round 3)

Not long after the Niners used a third-round selection on former LSU running back Tyrion Davis-Price, there was a conclusion the team was interested in moving on from the 2021 Round 3 running back, Trey Sermon.

Well, that happened.

However, Davis-Price hasn’t exactly justified San Francisco’s second attempt to grab a top rusher in the third round of the draft.

In fairness, the rookie has only appeared in one game, Week 2’s win over the Seattle Seahawks, after he was inactive in the Week 1 opener and then suffered a high-ankle sprain before Week 3.

Statistically speaking, Davis-Price has only 14 rush attempts for 33 yards, averaging a mere 2.4 yards per carry.

Not the debut for which both he and the 49ers were hoping.

Stock: Down

49ers wide receiver Danny Gray (Round 3)

The Davis-Price selection might have been a bit of a surprise, but grabbing the speedy wide receiver out of SMU, Danny Gray, made a lot of sense. And when he was paired with quarterback Trey Lance during the preseason, it appeared as if Lance would be able to take advantage of Gray’s speed with some deep-bomb passes:

Yet Lance’s Week 2 season-ending ankle injury meant the weaker-armed Jimmy Garoppolo would be under center for the rest of 2022, and Gray’s stock value takes a hit as a result.

Gray’s hands were already questionable entering the NFL, and now his speed won’t be as useful for the Niners offense.

To date, Gray has been active in only two games and was targeted twice, not being able to haul in a reception.

While a diminishing stock value applies here, the long-term reward is still very much in play.

Stock: Down