2023 NFL Draft: Who could 49ers target on defense, special teams?

49ers target: Jake Moody, Kicker, Michigan

Draft range: 4th-6th round

The 49ers added Zane Gonzalez via trade, but they haven’t really invested anything when it comes to picks or money to make him the permanent starter. The Niners have met with plenty of kickers, too, and Jake Moody is the consensus best kicker in the draft class.

The draft ceiling might seem a bit steep at the fourth round for a kicker, but it’s important to remember that with longer distances for field goals, and the 49ers’ previous history of relatively high draft picks on special teamers in the John Lynch era (thankfully, punter Mitch Wishnowsky has been a good pick in that particular occasion).

Moody had a good season for the Michigan Wolverines in 2022. He hit 83 percent of his field goals with his longest coming at 59 yards. He was 7-of-8 in the 40-yard range and 3-of-7 at 50-plus yards. Moody also hit 92 percent of his field goals in 2021 to cement himself as the top kicker of the class.

The 49ers put Moody through a workout in April.

If they like what they see, they should pull the trigger at whichever point they feel comfortable using a pick.