You have multiple options at different positions
The San Francisco 49ers have gotten plenty of bang for their buck when it comes to Day 3 selections during John Lynch’s tenure.
Players such as George Kittle and Fred Warner rightfully make the headlines, and out of nowhere, Brock Purdy has joined their company. But it’s the Dre Greenlaws, Talanoa Hufangas, and the Jauan Jennings’ of the roster who truly embody the underdog spirit and make the foundation of the roster.
What makes the organization’s scouting prowess truly impressive is its consistent ability to get starter snaps from the players you’d least expect. Spencer Burford and Colton McKivitz are just a few examples of this.
Will that trend continue? The Niners hope so. Today we ask, which Day 3 pick has the best chance to succeed and potentially shape the future of the team?
Which Day 3 pick has the best chance to succeed
We’ll keep it to the draft picks and not the undrafted free agents. That means your options are Malik Mustapha, Isaac Guerendo, Jacob Cowing, Jarrett Kingston, and Tatum Bethune.
What positions they play matters. Mustapha plays a position where the starter is coming off an ACL injury and isn’t guaranteed to be a starter. Mustapha could also find himself in the rotation if he plays “bigger” against the run and the new defensive coordinator elects to use 3-safety looks.
Guerendo is a home run threat and a change-of-pace back. Preseason will be big for him. If the rookie running back makes a couple of explosive plays during training camp and games, he’ll earn himself a series or two during the regular season. As Raheem Mostert knows, all it takes is one opportunity.
Speaking of big plays, Cowing is a savvy receiver who understands the nuances of the position that just so happens to run a sub 4.4 40-yard dash. He’s my pick, as Cowing could carve out himself a role on special teams now that Ray-Ray McCloud is gone.
As a receiver, he gives the Niners another dimension and a player who can take the top off a defense and rack up catches underneath. Cowing’s versatility will make it difficult to keep him on the bench.
Linebacker is the ultimate wild card as Dre Greenlaw recovers from an Achilles injury. Bethune is more of a coverage player, which could mean he’s brought in on obvious passing downs. It’s easy to sleep on him since Bethune was a seventh-rounder, but the 49ers have not been shy about playing seventh-rounders. See: Purdy, Jennings, and Ronnie Bell in limited action last year.
Lastly, there’s Kingston, who will need an injury to crack the lineup.
Who is your pick?
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