The San Francisco 49ers loaded up as best they could with limited assets this offseason. In addition to signing star defensive tackle Javon Hargrave, the 49ers added three third-round picks in the 2023 NFL Draft. We’re taking a look at which one of their top-three picks has the best chance to make an impact in their rookie season.
Which 49ers 2023 Third-Round Pick Will Make the Biggest Impact?
The 49ers entered the 2023 NFL Draft class with three picks between the 99th and 102nd overall picks, thanks to compensatory selections. However, the 49ers traded up with the last of those selections to jump up to the 87th pick. We’re diving into to see which of safety Ji’Ayir Brown, tight end Cameron Latu, and kicker Jake Moody will be the team’s most impactful rookie.
S Ji’Ayir Brown
The 49ers led the NFL with 20 interceptions in 2023, then proceeded to add one of the most productive safeties in college football in Brown. Brown totaled 10 interceptions throughout his Penn State career despite playing with talented defensive backs in Joey Porter Jr., Jaquan Brisker, and Tariq Castro-Fields.
New 49ers defensive coordinator Steve Wilks eluded to the obvious when talking about Brown, saying, “He just makes plays.” 49ers general manager John Lynch said Brown has an “uncanny way of getting picks,” thanks to his ability to diagnose what’s happening. Those instincts are also what help him overcome running a mediocre 4.66 40-yard dash time.
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It’s easy to see a role being carved out for Brown after DeMeco Ryans brought third safety Jimmie Ward with him to Houston. Even though the excellent safety tandem of Tashaun Gipson and Talanoa Hufanga each played over 96% of snaps last year, Ward played 47% of snaps. With Gipson flirting with retirement this past offseason before returning on a one-year deal, Brown should slide into the third safety role and takes over as a starter in 2024.
Ward totaled 50 tackles and three interceptions in 12 games played last year. The 49ers are obviously hoping for more availability from Brown than the injury-prone Ward, but those numbers would be solid for Brown in his rookie campaign.
In terms of role and impact, Brown could be someone who makes a small difference when he’s on the field.
TE Cameron Latu
The 49ers’ decision to draft Latu was peculiar. Selected with the 101st overall pick, Latu was the ninth tight end to come off the board. He was selected only eight picks after Darnell Washington went to Pittsburgh. The former edge rusher enjoyed a solid career at Alabama.
Latu’s athletic profile is good but not outstanding, marking only a 6.23 Relative Athletic Score that compared him to a bunch of tight ends no one has ever heard of. That doesn’t mean everything, but it’s fair to say he’s far from a George Kittle clone. He instead profiles as a natural pass catcher who wins with timely play-calling and smooth routes instead of game-breaking talent.
Those types of tight ends bust more often than hit in the NFL as the position has become less important. But for this 49ers’ staff under Kyle Shanahan, Latu can endear himself in another way.
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PFN NFL Draft Analyst Ian Cummings said Latu’s blocking “brings good utility” to an offense, and he notably has a “combative” mentality. This is a massive part of what the 49ers want from the position, and their staff wants the “violent” blocking mindset that Kittle has. Former 49ers assistant and current Miami Dolphins tight end coach Jon Embree blatantly said Mike Gesicki’s lack of fire as a blocker played into his lack of snaps.
Latu may carve a role on the 2023 49ers. Kittle has missed at least two games every season since 2018 and turns 30 this fall. Backups Tyler Kroft, Charlie Woerner, and Ross Dwelley combined to play 540 snaps in 2022 but hauled in only seven receptions.
Considering this, Latu might make an impact as a rookie, but it’s not likely to be one most people will notice.
K Jake Moody
Maybe the most shocking moment on Day 2 of the NFL Draft was Moody coming off the board with the 99th overall pick. The 49ers had a major need after releasing Robbie Gould, and Lynch said “teams tried to trade up” for Moody as the end of the third round loomed. One round later, the New England Patriots selected Maryland kicker Chad Ryland.
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Moody will have a big role regardless of whether he’s good or not. He never missed an extra point at Michigan and hit 82.1% of his 84 career field goals. Fifty-two of his 69 career makes came over the last two seasons.
Only five kickers have been taken in the first three rounds of the draft since 2000. Of those five, only Roberto Aguayo was a clear miss after flaming out of the NFL almost immediately. Sebastian Janikowski, Mike Nugent, and Nate Kaeding at least had some level of success and longevity in the NFL.
