Which second-year player needs to take a big step for the 49ers in 2024?

The 49ers rookie class a season ago didn’t have many key contributors early on.

The San Francisco 49ers were left in a tough position last offseason, as they went into the 2023 NFL Draft depleted of resources due to the trades for quarterback Trey Lance and running back Christian McCaffrey.

Beginning their selections in only the third round, the 49ers’ prime draftee in the class was Penn State safety Ji’Ayir Brown, who evolved into a starter during the second half of the season after Talanoa Hufanga went down with a torn ACL.

But, overall, the class didn’t contribute much during their rookie seasons, and will now be tasked with making the sophomore leap.

Which second-year player needs to take a big step for the 49ers in 2024? Let’s look at the entire draft class

S Ji’Ayir Brown

Brown is the obvious choice for taking the next step, as the safety is expected to be a full-time starter alongside Hufanga in 2024.

While there may be fit concerns, given the similarities between the two safeties, Brown could take over more of the responsibilities that Tashaun Gipson had a season ago, placing a bigger emphasis on his role.

Brown had his ups and downs in 2023, but showed some promise, which he’ll look to build upon this season. He should have a pretty big opportunity to do so.

TE Cameron Latu

Latu was a no-show as a rookie, essentially redshirting the year due to injury after a slow offseason where he struggled to adapt to the next level.

With backup tight end Charlie Woerner gone, Latu has a real opportunity to compete and win the No. 2 tight end spot, but he still has a long way to go to put everything together.

Despite his draft status as a third-round pick, the clock is ticking on the tight end, and the 49ers have shown in the past that they’re willing to cut their losses when necessary.

In training camp, Latu will be competing with fellow second-year player Brayden Willis, as well as veterans Logan Thomas and Eric Saubert in the tight end room.

K Jake Moody

Moody enters 2024 as the unquestioned starter at kicker after earning the job as a rookie, but he has to take a big jump this year.

As a rookie, Moody ranked 20th in field goal percentage, which isn’t good enough at a key position, regardless of age.

The 49ers clearly liked his powerful leg enough to take him in the third round, but kicker isn’t a position that you can wait long to develop.

While the sample size was smaller than other kickers, Moody will need to show improvements in 2024, while becoming more consistent as a kickoff specialist as well.

CB Darrell Luter

At cornerback, much of the talk has been about the new additions this offseason, as the 49ers added Florida State corner Renardo Green in the second round of the 2024 NFL Draft, while signing veterans Isaac Yiadom and Rock Ya-Sin in free agency.

But, one of the underrated pieces in the room is second-year cornerback Darrell Luter, who was drafted in the fifth round last year due to his fit as a press corner in San Francisco’s system.

Luter has an opportunity to compete for the No. 2 outside cornerback spot alongside Yiadom, Ya-Sin, and Ambry Thomas, and could especially be of use in spot-up injury situations.

We’ll see how big his role ultimately is in 2024.

DE Robert Beal

Beal made the roster as a fifth-round rookie, but didn’t really see much playing time behind a deep defensive end room last season.

This year, while the 49ers signed Leonard Floyd and Yetur Gross-Matos in free agency, there is less depth along the edge, allowing for Beal to potentially see more reps in Year 2.

He’ll still have to prove his value, but the 49ers liked his length and athleticism, and a good training camp could help his cause for playing time.

LB Dee Winters

Winters was one of two late-round linebackers to make the roster as a rookie last year, and primarily served on special teams.

With Oren Burks gone, Winters could compete for a bigger role this offseason, although the 49ers signed veteran De’Vondre Campbell, who is expected to take over Dre Greenlaw’s role before sliding to the No. 3 spot upon his return.

The linebacker room is always loaded for San Francisco, but Winters could compete with Demetrius Flannigan-Fowles for that base package spot in the initial look of the 49ers defense.

TE Brayden Willis

Like Latu, Willis will be a part of the tight end competition for George Kittle’s backup.

Willis showed some promise last offseason as a seventh-round rookie, but it’s unclear what role the 49ers envision for him in the future.

For now, his expectation is to make the 53-man roster once again and go from there.

WR Ronnie Bell

Bell cracked the 53-man roster as a seventh-round pick for the 49ers in 2023, but his roster spot is far from guaranteed this season.

San Francisco drafted wideouts Ricky Pearsall and Jacob Cowing, while keeping all of their top three guys, meaning there may be only one available spot at receiver among the remaining candidates.

Bell was inconsistent, both as a wideout and a returner in 2023, which will be key areas to focus on this offseason.

LB Jalen Graham

Like Winters, Graham made the 53-man roster as a late-round linebacker selection in 2023.

As always with the linebacker position, Graham will have ample competition this offseason to earn his roster spot, with the possibility of a bigger role depending on injuries.

The seventh-round pick flashed several times last offseason, and will look to carry the momentum over to 2024.