3 plays vs. Seahawks that reveal 49ers hit a home run with 2024 draft class

The 49ers got great contributions from their rookies in Week 6 against the Seahawks, and these three plays highlight the action.

The San Francisco 49ers may be known for their Pro Bowl and All-Pro stars. But, given the injury attrition the Niners have experienced thus far over the course of 2024, it was inevitable their rookies from last April's NFL Draft would have to step up at some point or another.

Turns out, a sizable chunk of San Francisco's rookie class stepped up collectively in the 36-24 Thursday Night Football victory over the Seattle Seahawks.

Granted, the 49ers' top pick from this year's draft, wide receiver Ricky Pearsall, hasn't played an NFL snap yet after suffering a gunshot wound just prior to the preseason.

However, other notable members of the Niners' draft class sure made their presence felt in prime time at Lumen Field.

After the game, head coach Kyle Shanahan lauded the rookies in his locker room speech, calling out three players in particular: cornerback Renardo Green, safety Malik Mustapha and running back Isaac Guerendo.

Green got the start in place of the injured Charvarius Ward (knee), while Mustapha's role will increase, thanks to All-Pro safety Talanoa Hufanga (wrist) landing on injured reserve.

Guerendo, meanwhile, saw a second-half uptick following running back Jordan Mason's shoulder injury prior to halftime.

Needless to say, all three of those rookies (and more) made a substantial impact on Thursday night, and these three plays show how.

No. 1: Isaac Guerendo's 76-yard run late in 4th quarter

The issue was very much in doubt late in the fourth quarter with San Francisco clinging to a five-point lead.

All that changed, though, when Guerendo found a seam and used his blazing speed to churn out a 76-yard carry deep into Hawks territory, setting up a game-icing touchdown run by fullback Kyle Juszczyk two plays later.

The rookie tailback will get most of the credit for the play, which was a huge chunk of his team-high 99 yards rushing.

However, highlighting another rookie, go back and watch rookie right guard Dominick Puni (No. 77) open up the hole with a key block.

So, by that account, two first-year pros ended up making this play such a splash.

No. 2: Renardo Green's momentum-shifting interception in the 4th quarter

From the 10-minute mark of the third quarter until the beginning of the fourth, Seattle claimed almost all momentum, sparked by a special teams kickoff return for a touchdown that must have given the 49ers nightmares.

With 14 unanswered points, the Hawks made it a six-point game and appeared to be poised to stage yet another NFC West upset over the Niners.

But Green had other plans.

Jumping the route on a pass from quarterback Geno Smith, intended for wide receiver D.K. Metcalf, Green snagged the momentum-shifting intercetion and returned it 20 yards to the Seahawks' 15-yard line.

Capitalizing on the turnover, the Niners tacked on what ended up being the game-winning touchdown just a few plays later.

Green, who could see an uptick in playing time if Ward remains sidelined, gave San Francisco a much-needed boost when it was needed the most.

No. 3: Malik Mustapha sets the tone with 1st-quarter interception

One of the ways the 49ers could have lost this game is if the Hawks got out to a hot start, and it appeared as if Seattle was poised to do that with an impressive first-quarter drive that made it all the way to the Niners' 25-yard line.

Granted, pressure by defensive end Nick Bosa forced Smith into an overthrow. But Mustapha's positioning was ideal, as he had a gifted interception waiting for him that negated a would-be touchdown opportunity:

San Francisco turned the turnover into three points only, although it went 90 yards on the ensuing possession and chewed up 7:28 of clock time in the process.

But that early momentum grab also influenced the 49ers getting out to a 16-0 lead on Thursday night, and Mustapha's impact helped reinforce the idea the Niners' 2024 draft class is a good one, chock full of playmakers who came up with big plays in key moments.

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