The 49ers badly needed a big-time showing from their rookie class in 2019, and got it from nearly their entire group. Several of the first-year players played prominent roles in San Francisco’s run to Super Bowl 54.
Here’s the report card for John Lynch’s third rookie class:
DL Nick Bosa
There weren’t many defensive players more dominant than Bosa in his rookie season, and there certainly wasn’t a better first-year defensive player. It’s why the No. 2 overall pick was the runaway winner for the Defensive Rookie of the Year award. According to analytics site Pro Football Focus, Bosa registered 102 total pressures and 14 sacks in the regular and postseason. It’s hard to ask for a better showing from a rookie.
Grade: A+
WR Deebo Samuel
It took a few games for Samuel to get rolling, but the No. 36 overall pick was excellent in his first year. San Francisco needed a versatile, go-to target for quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo, and Samuel quickly developed into that. He caught 57 balls for 802 yards and three touchdowns in 15 games, to go along with 14 rushes for 159 yards and three touchdowns on the ground. It was arguably the best rookie season ever for a 49ers wide receiver, which is as good as they could’ve hoped for from a second-round pick.
Grade: A+
WR Jalen Hurd
Hurd had an excellent preseason debut where he scored two touchdowns against the Cowboys and displayed the combination of power after the catch and leaping ability in the end zone that made him such an enticing prospect. However, a back injury before the second preseason contest derailed Hurd’s rookie year before it could start, and he spent the season on Injured Reserve.
Grade: INC
P Mitch Wishnowsky
While the booming leg wasn’t there for Wishnowsky, who averaged just 44.9 yards per punt, he did drop 32 of his 60 kicks inside the 20 and only three went for touchbacks. The Utah alum also thrived in limiting returns. Teams averaged just 5.2 yards per return on his punts thanks to his strong hang time. Distance isn’t as important as pinning teams inside the 20 and limiting returns, and Wishnowsky was very good at both. Perhaps the biggest concern for the fourth-round pick going forward is his 51 percent touchback rate on kickoffs, which was among the worst rate in the league.
Grade: C+
LB Dre Greenlaw
The 2019 season was a success for Greenlaw out of camp just by virtue of the fact he snagged the starting Sam linebacker job. However, his role increased dramatically when starting Will linebacker Kwon Alexander tore his pectoral and was sidelined for the remainder of the regular season. That moved Greenlaw into the Will linebacker spot, which is effectively an every-down position. The fifth-round pick from Arkansas turned in an excellent season where he racked up 87 tackles, 1.0 sacks, two pass breakups and an interception while emerging as an excellent player in coverage. Greenlaw likely earned himself a spot as part of the 49ers’ long-term future.
Grade: A-
OT Justin Skule
It looked like Skule was in for a season of observing from the sidelines before a preseason injury to presumed swing tackle Shon Coleman, and an injury to left tackle Joe Staley thrust the sixth-round pick into action in his first year. The Vanderbilt alum acquitted himself well in 15 games and eight starts. None of his performances were stellar, but he was a steady presence on Garoppolo’s blind side, and may have earned himself another look as a possible long-term answer at tackle for San Francisco.
Grade: C
CB Tim Harris
Injuries forced Harris’ draft stock to plummet to the sixth-round, and then forced him to miss his entire rookie year. The big-bodied corner played well in camp prior to his injury and could be in the running for playing time in his second season if he’s healthy.
Grade: INC
