San Francisco 49ers Raise Eyebrows While Addressing Needs In NFL Draft

The San Francisco 49ers addressed three clear needs on day two of the NFL Draft but still managed to raise eyebrows as their long wait to make some selections finally came to an end.

San Francisco was not scheduled to be on the clock until the 99th overall selection, but the Niners jumped up 12 spots in a trade with the Minnesota Vikings to take Penn State safety Ji’Ayir Brown 87th overall. The deal saw the 49ers send a fifth-round pick and a seventh-rounder to Minnesota as well as pick 102 in the third.

The Niners followed that up by taking Michigan kicker Jake Moody 99th overall and then giving star tight end George Kittle a running mate at the position by selecting Alabama’s Cameron Latu 101st overall.

Of the three selections, it is that of Moody that will prove the most controversial. San Francisco needed to fill the void left by veteran kicker Robbie Gould, though they had already signed Zane Gonzalez as a free agent.

The position may have been a need, and San Francisco clearly had Moody high on its draft board, but making him the highest kicker taken in the draft since Roberto Aguayo was picked 59th overall in 2016 was not necessary.

San Francisco likely could have selected Moody on day three and, now without a pick until round five, the Niners will miss out on some excellent defensive talent that could have been had with pick 99.

As for the defensive talent they did add to their roster, Brown’s arrival gives the 49ers their long-term starter at free safety. Tashaun Gipson may start in 2022 after snagging five interceptions in 2021, but Brown is the future at the position next to strong safety Talanoa Hufanga and, with his ability to cover the slot, should see defensive snaps as a rookie.

Brown ran a disappointing 40-yard dash at the Combine, posting a time of 4.65 seconds, but makes up for any athletic deficiencies with outstanding eyes and instincts that helped him rack up 10 interceptions over his final two seasons at Penn State in 2022. Also used regularly as a blitzer, Brown had 4.5 sacks in 2022.

Latu fills the TE2 hole that has long since been a gaping one on the 49er roster. He averaged 14.1 yards per reception in college and caught 12 touchdowns over his final two seasons at Alabama.

A consistent catcher of the football who is a smoother route-runner than he is given credit for, Latu can have an immediate impact as a receiver and a blocker. He is a strong in-line blocker who can move defenders off the ball and consistently finishes emphatically.

His selection figures to take some of the burden off Kittle and give the Niners more flexibility and an increased passing threat out of two tight end sets.

The potential for increased potency out of heavier personnel sets is something head coach Kyle Shanahan values highly, but it may take some time for many to understand why the Niners placed such importance on getting a kicker on day two.