ESPN analyst Mel Kiper Jr. raised questions about the San Francisco 49ers' draft choices, starting with wide receiver Ricky Pearsall at No. 31 overall in the first round of the 2024 NFL Draft. His critique extended to the team's second-round pick, former Florida State cornerback Renardo Green.
"This was the biggest reach of Round 2, by far," Kiper stated in his analysis of the winners, losers, and head-scratchers from Day 2 of the draft.
Kiper did not expect to hear Green's name called for at least another couple of rounds.
"I graded Green as more of a fourth- or fifth-round pick," Kiper elaborated. "He is No. 143 on my Big Board and is my No. 21 corner. My pal Louis Riddick called Green the best press-man cornerback in this class, but when I watched his 2023 tape, I saw too much grabbing on routes."
Kiper expressed skepticism about Green's playing style transitioning effectively to the NFL, a league where officials tend to protect wide receivers more than they might at the collegiate level.
"Green led the ACC with 13 pass breakups, but I'm not sure he's going to be a starter at the next level," Kiper commented.
Despite Kiper's reservations, Green believes the 49ers have acquired a determined football player with considerable potential.
"You're getting a dog, a tenacious football player, an instinctive, athletic football player, and a versatile, smart football player," Green remarked during a Zoom interview with reporters after being drafted.
However, Kiper did offer some praise for the 49ers' subsequent selection of former Kansas offensive lineman Dominick Puni with the No. 86 overall pick, following a trade that moved them up eight spots.
Acknowledging Puni's shortcomings, Kiper noted, "Puni played some left tackle in college, but he's a little undersized to stick there in the NFL. He plays with fire, though, and I love his game as a run-blocker."
