This week’s reacts survey asks two simple questions
Welcome to SB Nation Reacts, a survey of fans across the NFL. Throughout the year we ask questions of the most plugged-in San Francisco 49ers fans and fans across the country. Sign up here to participate in the weekly emailed surveys.
There are two survey questions this week. The first one is simple: Were the San Francisco 49ers a winner in the 2024 NFL Draft?
The next one will vary depending on the reader. Who was your favorite pick?
We plan on breaking Ricky Pearsall down soon enough. Did the 49ers get the best value at 31? Unlikely. A slot receiver with the potential to play on the outside isn’t likely to move the needle, especially when that player is a fifth-year senior. However, Pearsall’s athletic profile, toughness, hands, and tracking ability are all Day 1 quality. He was also Florida’s go-to receiver for two years.
Renardo Green’s dog mentality shows up against the run. His coverage skills should put him in the running to play as a rookie. But it’s Green’s speed that puts him in a position to make plays.
Dominick Puni is a player to watch, with the potential to step onto the field right away. Where will he fit in? That’s a mystery we’re eager to see unfold. Right guard, right tackle, or perhaps a different position? But Puni’s experience, quickness, power, and ability to protect the passer might already be an upgrade.
The other three options are the fourth-round picks. Wake Forest’s Malik Mustapha is known as a big hitter. He’s a tone-setter that every defense covets.
Running back Isaac Guerendo ran a low 4.3 40-yard dash. Those kinds of players are a big play waiting to happen. Jacob Cowing, another sub-4.4 player, has return ability to help him secure a roster spot. But you can’t ignore his 90 receptions and 13 touchdowns. Some draft outlets had Cowing ranked close to Pearsall.