5 biggest takeaways from 49ers' efforts in 2024 NFL Draft
By Peter Panacy
Takeaway No. 3: 49ers draft for 2025, not just for 2024
Speaking of long-term impacts, the Niners have made this something of a trend in recent years. Case in point, in 2021, they used a second-round pick on left guard Aaron Banks who essentially sat his rookie year before getting a starting gig in year two.
Many (potentially all) of San Francisco's draftees could follow a similar path.
Ricky Pearsall probably begins his tenure as a WR3 on the depth chart but could move up, depending on what happens with the current trio of Deebo Samuel, Brandon Aiyuk and Jauan Jennings, as it'll be tough for the 49ers to retain all three of those veterans beyond this season.
Renardo Green could start, too, but the 49ers are poised to lose Charvarius Ward, Deommodore Lenoir and Isaac Yiadom to free agency in 2025. That's when the Niners will need Green the most. And with All-Pro safety Talanoa Hufanga entering a contract year, Malik Mustapha is someone to watch to pair with Ji'Ayir Brown in a year's time.
The same goes with Puni, who'll likely take a Banks-like route to a starting job after being a backup in year one.