Tuesday, May 23, 2023

San Francisco 49ers Post-Draft 2023 NFL Mock Draft Roundup

Throughout the 2023 NFL season, we will compile a consensus NFL Power Rankings that averages the rankings of all 32 NFL teams.

Below you will find a post-draft roundup for the San Francisco 49ers in our consensus 2023 NFL Power Rankings.

ESPN -- Rank: 5

Most improved: Defensive tackle

The 49ers had one of the least productive defensive tackle groups in the NFL in 2022, as they generated a combined 59 pressures, fourth-fewest in the league. Arik Armstead, who missed eight games with foot and ankle issues, had the most pressures among Niners defensive tackles with just 14.

Enter big-ticket free agent Javon Hargrave, who accounted for 53 pressures and nine sacks last season with a 14.1% pressure rate (the best in the NFL among tackles with at least 500 pass rushes over the past two seasons). The Niners are counting on Hargrave to elevate their defensive line back to 2019 levels of dominance.

NFL.com -- Rank: 5

Kyle Shanahan knows what you think Kyle Shanahan wants to do. The Niners have garnered a reputation for loading up on running backs in the middle rounds of the NFL draft, but the team threw a curveball with the selection of Michigan kicker Jake Moody at 99th overall on Friday. It's the highest we've seen a kicker go in the draft since the Bucs invested a second-round pick in Roberto Aguayo in 2016. That move ended in calamity for Tampa Bay, but Shanahan didn't sound worried about history repeating itself. "You gotta know how high we think of you, man," the coach said in a phone call to Moody. "We didn't take a running back; we spent a third-round pick on a kicker." Oh, Shanny!

CBS Sports -- Rank: 5

The team is as talented as any, but it's the quarterback situation that has uncertainty. When will Brock Purdy be ready to go? If he's out for a while, can Trey Lance or Sam Darnold hold it down?

USA Today -- Rank: 5

At a time when other teams are seeking their version of Brock Purdy, how wild would it be if Sam Darnold or Trey Lance stakes a new claim on San Francisco's QB1 job while Mr. Irrelevant's elbow heals?

The Athletic -- Rank: 6

Draft takeaway: Jake Moody is an awful temperamental name for a wishy-washy position like kicker.

Hype man: Enjoy your second-round picks everyone. We'd rather have Christian McCaffrey, thank you very much. And did you hear the good news about Brock Purdy's arm? This is our year.

Deebo Downer: No serious team drafts a kicker in the third round. No wonder we finished 32nd in Brugler's class rankings.

PFF -- Rank: 3

The 49ers needed backup linebackers and cornerbacks after losing Azeez Al-Shaair, Emmanuel Moseley and Samson Ebukam this offseason. Drafting Darrell Luter Jr., Dee Winters and Jalen Graham may fill those gaps — particularly Luter, who allowed a 27% completion percentage in 2021.

PFT -- Rank: 4

I know you don't necessarily pick up where you left off the previous year, and I know the QB situation is odd, but prior to the quarterback injury implosion in the NFC title game, I can't unsee this truth: The Niners were on a 12-game winning streak, with nine of the wins by double digits.

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