With the 2024 NFL Draft just around the corner, the anticipation is palpable as San Francisco prepares to make their first first-round selection in over two years. Here, I present the top prospects for each offensive position, both inside and outside the top 100, with their potential to shape the team's future and draft grades.
Quarterback - Michael Penix Jr., Washington
2nd-round grade
Strengths:
- Pocket passer
- High IQ and processing
- Blitz beater
Concerns:
- Durability (Four season-ending injuries)
- Accuracy outside the pocket.
Michael Penix Jr. is a great pocket-passing quarterback with a high IQ pre- and post-snap. He can read the defense well and beat the blitz under pressure. He is very accurate when throwing deep downfield.
Quarterback - Jordan Travis, Florida State
5th-round grade
Strengths:
- Leadership
- Athleticism
- Ability to throw on the run
Concerns:
- Size
- Pocket presence
- Durability
Jordan Travis is a pure passer with good timing and accuracy in the short and intermediate areas of the field. He is also an athlete who is fearless in using his legs to extend the play from the line of scrimmage. Under pressure, Travis tends to rush his decision-making and make ill-advised throws.
Running Back - Jaylen Wright, Tennessee
3rd-round grade
Strengths:
- Top speed
- Inside/outside zone
- Pass protection
Concerns:
- Route running
- Isolated opportunities
Jaylen Wright is one of the most physical runners with 4.3-speed, agility. and good vision to cut back. He struggles to run the entire route tree but is excellent in pass protection. Wright will also present the option of being a return man on special teams.
Running Back - Isaac Guerendo, Louisville
4th-5th round grade
Strengths:
- Patience and vision
- Short-yardage and goal-line
- Speed to win on the edge
Concerns:
- Injuries
- Pass protection
- Lack of bursts
Isaac Guerendo is the fastest running back in the draft, with 4.33 speed. He is most familiar with the zone-based running scheme and has outstanding open-field speed, which allows him to pull away from defenders. Guerendo tends to run with a high pad level, allowing defenders to tackle him more easily.
Wide Receiver - Adonai Mitchell, Texas
1st-2nd round grade
Strengths:
- Quick release
- Route running
- Ball tracking
Concerns:
- Beating press defenders
Adonai Mitchell is a smooth route runner who creates separation from defenders all over the field. He has elite 4.3 speed and could be a dynamic X receiver at the next level. Mitchell struggles against physical corners who like to press. He will have to figure out how to consistently beat press man coverage in the NFL.
Wide Receiver - Tahj Washington, USC
5th-6th grade
Strengths:
- Great hands
- High IQ
- Off-script plays
Concerns:
- Size
- Beating press man
Tahj Washington is a versatile receiver with 4.5 speed. Washington finished the 2023 season at USC with over 1000 yards. His greatest attribute is his ability to make a play-off script. Also, he lacks elite speed; he can dominate using his quick moves in the slot. Washington's size and weight force him to struggle against pressman defenders when lined up outside.
Tight End - Ben Sinnott, Kansas State
3rd-round grade
Strengths:
- Run blocking
- Versatility
- Motor
Concerns:
- Creating separation
- Speed to run vertical
Ben Sinnott is the second-best tight end in the draft overall. His versatility allows him to line up at different positions in the formation: outside, inline, or in the backfield. He's a good pass catcher and run blocker. Sinnott's lack of speed enables him to separate downfield. Sinnott may not be the most explosive tight end, but he consistently moves the chains.
Tight End - Tip Reiman, Illinois
6th-round grade
Strengths:
- Size
- Inline blocking
- Strength
Concerns:
- YAC
Tip Reiman is one of the best blocking tight ends in the draft. He plays with excellent leverage and explodes off of the line of scrimmage. Reiman has good hands but struggles with his release versus man coverage. Don't expect yards after the catch from Reiman. He would be the 49ers' Charlie Woerner 2.0.
Center - Jackson Powers-Johnson, Oregon
1st-2nd-round grade
Strengths:
- Physical and mean
- Athleticism
- Great hand use
Concerns:
- Quickness
Although Kyle Shanahan prefers quick centers who can move, Jackson Powers-Johnson will bring a different dynamic to the offensive line with his mean streak and physical style of play. His ability to kick inside to guard makes him versatile. Powers-Johnson makes all the calls up front on the offensive line and could be the perfect future center for the San Francisco 49ers.
Center - Hunter Nourzad, Penn State
4th-round grade
Strengths:
- Mauling hands
- Efficient movement skills in both pass and run game
- Initial quickness
Concerns:
- Struggles against stunts
- Injuries
- Age (Will turn 25 after the draft)
Hunter Nourzad is an athletic center that has very dangerous hands. He obtains an Ivy League degree in engineering from Cornell. Although he lacks elite athleticism, he's a smart guy who uses smarts and techniques against defenses.
Guard - Christian Haynes, UConn
2nd-round grade
Strengths:
- Physical and mean
- Wide zone blocking
- Explosive
Concerns:
- Size
Don't judge a book by its cover and be fooled by Christian Haynes's size. Haynes is one of the best finishers in the 2024 NFL Draft. He perfectly fits Shanahan's outside zone because UConn ran a similar system. Hayne has active hands and a powerful first strike off the line of scrimmage.
Guard - Mason McCormick, South Dakota
4th-round grade
Strengths:
- Finisher
- Pulling
- Mean streak
Concerns:
- Footwork
Mason McCormick is one of the meanest guards entering the NFL. He's one of the best finishers and punishes defenders in the run game. Let's say he loves to put people in the dirt. McCormick's inconsistency shows up in pass protection due to a lack of footwork.
Tackle - Roger Rosengarten, Washington
2nd-3rd-round grade
Strengths:
- Athleticism
- Zone scheme fit
- Hand strength
Concerns:
- Pad level
- Play strength
Roger Rosengarten is an average pass protector with excellent hand strength to keep defenders from getting inside or outside. His strength lies in his run blocking, where he's able to use his speed in athleticism. Rosengarten's athleticism would thrive in an outside-zone running system.
Tackle - Jovon Foster, Missouri
4th-5th-round grade
Strengths:
- Outside zone scheme fit
- Great angles
- Good against twists and stunts
Concerns:
- Natural strength
- Footwork
- Plays high
Javon Foster is one of the best run-blocking tackles in the draft. In pass protection, Foster needs to lower his pad level so he doesn't get pushed back into the backfield. He can identify stunts and twists well but struggles against the power moves.
The 49ers have ten picks in the upcoming draft. Only some of the selections will be on the offensive side, but if the team can get a player or two off this list, they will be in good hands for years to come.