San Francisco 49ers 2023 NFL Draft Recap
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Former Georgia defensive end Robert Beal, Jr. went in the fifth round of the 2023 NFL Draft by the San Francisco 49ers.
The San Francisco 49ers went into this year’s draft without a first or second round pick as a result of the trade up to acquire former North Dakota State quarterback Trey Lance and the move to get Christian McCaffrey last season. Nevertheless, they still were able to acquire arguably the draft’s best placekicker and one of the better ballhawks in this year’s class before the start of Day 3.
It has been an active offseason for the organization, as they lost QB Jimmy Garoppolo (Raiders) and tackle Mike McGlinchey (Broncos) on offense. As a result the additions of Matt Pryor and Jon Feliciano (Giants).
They lost eight contributors from the league’s best defense but had plenty of depth already to step in at most of the spots vacated by players like defensive tackle Hassan Ridgeway (Texans) and defensive end Charles Omenihu (Chiefs). The addition of Georgia defensive end Robert Beal, Jr. seems like a rotational fit and TCU linebacker Dee Winters should be able to contribute on special teams.
| Table 1 | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| San Francisco 49ers | |||||
| Selection | Player Selection | Position- School | DN Big Board Rank/ Grade | Notes | Value (1-5): |
| 3 (87) | Ji’Ayir Brown 5’11 203 | S-Penn State | 102/3rd Round | Brown got knocked for a lack of foot speed in the postseason and the angles need to improve as a tackler. But his activity as a blitzer and on-ball finisher should work well on a defense that pressures the quarterback. | 5 |
| 3 (99) | Jake Moody 6’1 209 | PK-Michigan | 372/5th Round | The 49ers traded for PK Zane Gonzalez in the offseason and then selected Moody, who they expect to win the job in the preseason. | 4 |
| 3 (101) | Cameron Latu 6’4 242 | TE-H-back-Alabama | 325/4th Round | Latu has been used in the slot, as a fullback, H-back and down tight end. That type of versatility should mix well with what the 49ers do offensively. | 3 |
| 5 (155) | Darrell Luter, Jr. 6’0 189 | CB-South Alabama | 203/4th Round | Luter, Jr. runs well, tackles and shows suddenness in some of his movements. Improvements are needed defending back-shoulder fades. The 49ers have to like his upside as a press-man cornerback. | 4 |
| 5 (173) | Robert Beal, Jr. 6’4 255 | DE-OLB-Georgia | 141/3rd Round | Beal, Jr. has an 83” wingspan and posted sacks in five of the Bulldogs final six games during the team’s first 2021 national championship journey. He can set a firm edge in the run game. | 5 |
| 6 (216) | Dee Winters 5’11 227 | LB-TCU | 174/3rd Round | Winters continued to get better year-after-year and finished his career with 12.5 QB sacks to go along with three interceptions. His lack of size has to be overcome with 4.49 speed. Playing more physical will need to be a focus to become more than a special teams contributor. | 5 |
| 7 (247) | Brayden Willis 6’2 1/2” 244 | TE/H-back-Oklahoma | 213/4th Round | Willis’ performance as the Wildcat quarterback against Texas in 2022 lays credence to his versatility. He continuously got better in school as a Red Zone option, finishing with 13 touchdowns in that part of the field. | 5 |
| 7 (253) | Ronnie Bell 5’11 192 | WR-Michigan | 239/4th Round | Bell demonstrated savvy and the ability to change speeds in his routes dating all the way back to 2020. He has some drops on his resume, but his overall ability to win in tight spaces stands out in the slot. | 5 |
| 7 (255) | Jalen Graham 6’3 220 | LB-Purdue | 341/4th Round | The former safety did not have a spectacular postseason, but his overall special teams prowess moved him up draft boards and he has played at all three levels of the defense. | 4.5 |
| No. 1 UDFA signing: | Joey Fisher 6’4 292 | OT-OG-Shepherd | 191/4th Round | Fisher brings an urgent style and mobility to a 49ers offensive line room that values it. He has a number of physical similarities to former Cal offensive lineman Patrick Mekari (Ravens) when he came out school. | 5 |
| Draft Grade: | 4.5 |
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