Prospects for 49ers to Avoid in 2024 NFL Draft

The San Francisco 49ers experienced the good and the bad of the NFL draft during the Kyle Shanahan era.

Brandon Aiyuk, Nick Bosa, Mike McGlinchey, Deebo Samuel and Brock Purdy are among the players selected over the last few years.

But for every superstar case, there is a cautionary tale, like the Trey Lance pick in 2021.

San Francisco needs to avoid another Lance-type bust in the first round of the 2024 NFL draft.

The 49ers will not have a bust of that proportion in a long time because of the stature of the No. 3 pick, but all the prospects they evaluate must check every box. Even one flaw could put a player on the 49ers' must-avoid list.

Kingsley Suamataia

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FORT WORTH, TEXAS - OCTOBER 14: Kingsley Suamataia #78 of the Brigham Young Cougars prepares to block during the second half against the TCU Horned Frogs at Amon G. Carter Stadium on October 14, 2023 in Fort Worth, Texas. (Photo by Sam Hodde/Getty Images)

Kingsley Suamataia could be a prospect the 49ers consider with the No. 31 pick.

The assumption across most mock drafts is the 49ers will go after help on the offensive interior in the first round.

Duke's Graham Barton and Oklahoma's Tyler Guyton each carry more experience and project to be better than Suamataia at least right away.

Pro Football Focus went into detail on the limitations the BYU product has right now.

"While he is a dream athlete for a tackle, his inexperience leaves his technique raw and inconsistent. His hand placement and timing are a work in progress, and he can sometimes be more of a shover than a true blocker."

The 49ers can't afford to have a project player join their offensive line while in the hunt for the Super Bowl.

Suamataia may turn out to be a great offensive lineman, but he is not the fine-tuned prospect the 49ers need right now.

Jer'Zhan Newton

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CHAMPAIGN, IL - NOVEMBER 11: Illinois DT Jer'Zhan Newton (4) during a college football game between the Indiana Hoosiers and Illinois Fighting Illini on November 11, 2023 at Memorial Stadium in Bloomington, IN. (Photo by James Black/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

Jer'Zhan Newton has one of the larger variances in mock drafts because of a foot injury he suffered at Illinois.

Newton did not participate at the NFL combine because of surgery on the foot that he injured last fall.

Bleacher Report's NFL scouting department placed Newton at No. 18 in its latest mock draft, but ESPN's Matt Miller had him going at No. 35.

Newton has first-round talent, but the injury concern could force him to slip into the second round.

The 49ers need some extra help on the defensive line, and while they would love to have the Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year on their side, the risk seems too high right now because of the injury.

Ennis Rakestraw

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COLUMBIA, MISSOURI - SEPTEMBER 09: Defensive back Ennis Rakestraw Jr. #2 of the Missouri Tigers in action against the Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders in the first half at Faurot Field/Memorial Stadium on September 09, 2023 in Columbia, Missouri. (Photo by Ed Zurga/Getty Images)

Core muscle surgery in December could cost Ennis Rakestraw from hearing his name called in the first round.

The 49ers may not target a cornerback with the No. 31 pick, but it has to be considered as a possibility in case all of their favored offensive lineman are off the board.

Rakestraw probably will not fall to the 49ers at No. 63 in the second round, but if he does, they have to be concerned that the injury has not healed as quick as possible.

The Missouri product excelled in man-to-man coverage with 16 passes defended in the last two years, but he only had one interception in college.

Rakestraw's coverage skills could benefit the 49ers, but you could pick apart the no interceptions statistic and the injury to make a strong enough case against him as a potential No. 3 cornerback on the roster in 2024.