49ers hope for Purdy-like magic from 2023 crop of 7th-round picks

The 49ers wrapped up their 2023 NFL Draft class with three seventh-round selections. If one ends up having a Brock Purdy-like ascent, it’ll be noteworthy.

Whoever thinks seventh-round picks in the NFL Draft don’t matter forgot to tell that to quarterback Brock Purdy and the San Francisco 49ers.

Purdy, the final pick of the 2022 draft, took his “Mr. Irrelevant” moniker and tossed it into the sun by reinvigorating the Niners offense down the stretch last season and all the way to the NFC Championship game.

While that’s a rarity, and most Round 7 selections become forgotten awfully quickly, it’s proof that the selections in the final round of the draft can matter.

And some can contribute in massive, massive ways.

Purdy going to San Francisco was a year ago at this time. Which players did the 49ers grab in Round 7 of the 2023 NFL Draft this year?

49ers add 3 prospects in Round 7 of 2023 NFL Draft

Day three of the 2023 draft was going to be the busiest for general manager John Lynch and Co. after the Niners were modestly busy with three picks late on day two.

With eight picks to go, San Francisco focused on defense in Rounds 5 and 6 by grabbing cornerback Darrell Luter Jr., EDGE Robert Beal Jr. and linebacker Dee Winters.

In Round 7, the 49ers had to wait until No. 247 overall to make their first of three seventh-round picks.

Round 7, No. 247 overall: TE Brayden Willis, Oklahoma

The Niners already grabbed Alabama tight end Cameron Latu in Round 3, but Oklahoma’s Brayden Willis figures to be in the mix behind All-Pro George Kittle.

Willis made some offensive headway in 2022 for the Sooners, netting 514 yards and seven touchdowns.

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Generated 4/29/2023.

Willis is 6-foot-4 and 235 pounds and can line up all over the field.

Round 7, No. 253 overall: WR Ronnie Bell, Michigan

San Francisco focused on defense for much of the draft prior to Round 7, but getting a tight end and a wide receiver to bolster the depth chart at this point makes sense.

Michigan wide receiver Ronnie Bell had a very productive tenure with the Wolverines aside from an injury-shortened 2021 campaign.

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Generated 4/29/2023.

At 6-foot-0 and 191 pounds, Bell is coming off an ACL but proved his health with that 2022 campaign. He might not be overly fast, but he fights for 50-50 balls and could be a good possession receiver at the back end of the roster.

Round 7, No. 255 overall: LB Jalen Graham, Purdue

Winters might be the 49ers’ top linebacker selection, but Purdue’s Jalen Graham is easily a solid backup to that kind of role.

At 6-foot-2 and 220 pounds, Graham can cover and has some physicality despite being on the shorter side of things.

Whether or not he can contribute well on special teams will determine how big a chance he’ll have with a talented Niners linebacker corps.