49ers 1st-quarter awards: MVP, least-valuable player, most improved and more

49ers 1st-quarter rookie of the year: OL Dominick Puni

The 49ers' 2024 NFL Draft class has plenty of promise, but much of it has yet to make a serious impact over the first four weeks.

Round 1 selection, wide receiver Ricky Pearsall, is still rehabbing from the gunshot wound suffered during an attempted robbery attempt during training camp, while second-round cornerback Renardo Green is slowly being worked into a more prominent role.

Meanwhile, running back Isaac Guerendo hasn't seen much of the field because of Jordan Mason's dominance, while fellow wideout Jacob Cowing has been used exclusively on special teams thus far. Safety Malik Mustapha has had his moments, but multiple missed tackles work against him here.

The Niners' most important rookie? Right guard Dominick Puni.

Puni, a third-round pick, earned the starting job during training camp. And it's not just due to injuries or lack of options at the position. If anything, Puni is looking like a four-year veteran right away, and efforts like the one he had in Week 4 against the Pats help make the choice for first-quarter rookie of the year an easy one.

Signs point to the Niners' newest offensive lineman being a top-quality mainstay on the interior for years to come.

Honorable mention: Malik Mustapha

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