49ers 2023 NFL Draft class: Best, worst and most intriguing picks

49ers’ worst pick of 2023 NFL Draft: K Jake Moody, Michigan

Nothing against Jake Moody or his reputation for being one of the best collegiate kickers in Big Ten history. If anything, Moody was very much a draftable prospect and not someone who should have been cast aside to the ranks of the undrafted.

That said, it didn’t have to be the 49ers who took him. And certainly not in Round 3.

Granted, the Niners also have a history of using draft picks on specialists, including a fourth-round selection on punter Mitch Wishnowsky back in 2019. For a team with relatively few roster holes to fill via the draft, and one that also just lost veteran Robbie Gould to free agency, perhaps there’s some merit to grabbing Moody.

In the third round, though? That’s where things get questionable.

Related Story: Defending 49ers’ selection of Jake Moody in Round 3 of draft

Case in point, San Franciso could have found a plug-and-play right tackle in BYU’s Blake Freeland, who was selected not long after the Moody pick by the Indianapolis Colts.

Considering both need and value, Freeland would have been significantly better.

Moody might be excellent in a 49ers uniform. And he might not have been around by the time the Niners picked next in Round 5.

Grabbing Alabama tight end Cameron Latu a few spots later also doesn’t seem great, but that doesn’t make this Moody pick an excusable one, though.

Terrible value at No. 99 overall.