Three 49ers draftees are on Matt Miller’s top 100 picks list originally appeared in NBC Sports Bay Area
The 49ers have made seven selections in the 2024 NFL Draft, with three of their picks receiving high praise from ESPN Analyst Matt Miller.
Miller included Ricky Pearsall Dominick Puni and Malik Mustapha on their list of the top draft picks, detailing why he liked the selection and his specific fit with the 49ers.
Pearsall is the top 49ers selection on Miller’s list, coming in as his 45th-favorite pick in the 2024 draft, coincidentally with the Florida wide receiver being his 45th-ranked prospect in the class.
“Pre-draft speculation that the 49ers might trade Deebo Samuel or Brandon Aiyuk increased when Pearsall was selected in the first round, but a 49ers source told me before the night began that they would be a true ‘best player available’ team. ,” Miller wrote. “Pearsall will enter the lineup early as a slot receiver, but has the power and skill to become an outside starter early in his career if needed.”
Puni is the second-best 49ers player on the list, earning him the 54th spot on Miller’s favorite selection list after San Francisco selected the Kansas product in the third round. Miller had Puni as his No. 76 overall prospect in 2024.
“If you watched the 49ers last season, you noticed holes along the offensive line at every position to the right of left tackle Trent Williams,” Miller wrote. “Kansas’ versatile Puni should be penciled in as the Day 1 starter at right guard, where his power and agility will be a huge upgrade over Jon Feliciano.”
Rounding out the San Francisco selections on Miller’s list is hard-hitting safety Malik Mustapha, who 49ers selected in the fourth round. Miller ranked Mustapha as his No. 113 overall prospect in the class, putting him at No. 95 on his list of favorite 2024 draft picks.
“When healthy, Talanoa Hufanga is one of the best hitters in the NFL,” Miller wrote. “As he returned from a knee injury, the 49ers drafted the strongest safety in the class to join him. Mustapha is a strong safety, but Mustapha plays with fire down the hill to attack ball carriers Given the uncertainty of the 49ers’ future at safety, I love this pick.”
The 49ers’ rookie class – who were assigned shirt numbers on Wednesday – will have their first chance to impress on the field when the first practice of rookie minicamp begins on May 10.
Reporting day for 49ers rookie minicamp is Thursday, May 9, with the first practice scheduled for the following day.
– Matt Maiocco (@MaioccoNBCS) May 1, 2024
Many NFL Experts gave strong marks to San Francisco to his 2024 draft class, applauding the 49ers’ outcome after being drafted in the first round for the first time since 2021.
As San Francisco looks to get back to the Super Bowl, these rookies are expected to play a key role in the immediate future as well as the long-term vision for the 49ers.
