San Francisco did not pick until round three, but there are still multiple 49ers draft picks to discuss. After two nights of waiting, the 49ers did eventually make a trade and still had all three draft picks during night two. Here is a look at the 49ers draft picks from the second night of the 2023 NFL draft.
Round 3: 49ers Draft Picks
Former Penn State Safety Ji’Ayir Brown (16) – Matthew OHaren/USA Today
Round 3 Pick 87: Ji’Ayir Brown – S
San Francisco made a trade with the Minnesota Vikings to select the first of the 49ers draft picks this year. The 49ers gave up picks 102, 164, and 222 to move up to 87. Brown will most likely not be a starter this season, but he is a solid safety for the team to mold. When Talanoa Hufanga was drafted, he did not start until his second year. The same could happen with Brown, and then in two years, he can pair up with Hufanga.
What 49ers fans can be excited about is that Brown played in every game in both 2021 and 2022. In just three years at Penn State, Brown had 153 total tackles, 122 of which were solo, nine tackles for loss, and 4.5 sacks, according to Sports Reference. Brown also had ten interceptions during his time at Penn State. Six of the interceptions were from 2021, and four were from 2022. The safety also had one touchdown in 2022.
He also had nine pass deflections, three fumble recoveries; one returned for a touchdown and three forced fumbles. Even if he does not start in 2022, he is a solid player for the 49ers to have ready to go.
Round 3 Pick 99: Jake Moody – K
With the second one of the 49ers draft picks, San Francisco selected kicker Jake Moody. While it may seem that the Michigan kicker was taken early, it is important to remember that San Francisco essentially has all their starters already. With Robbie Gould not returning to the team, the 49ers did trade for kicker Zane Gonzalez. Despite the trade, there was still an expectation that the 49ers would draft a kicker, and they did. Now the two can compete for the starting spot in 2023.
Moody went 100% on extra points throughout his collegiate career, which was from 2018 to 2022. In 2022, Moody made 29 out of 35 field goals, according to Sports Reference. Drafting Moody was a need, and while it may seem early, it was an essential pick.
Former Michigan kicker Jake Moody (13) – Kaytie Boomer/MLive.com
Round 3 Pick 101: Cameron Latu – TE
The final one of the 49ers draft picks for night two was used on tight end Cameron Latu. The 49ers were rumored to be looking at tight ends this year, and that turned out to be true. While George Kittle will remain the top guy, the team needed another big player to take the stress off of him. Latu has faced injuries in his career which is hard for 49ers fans to hear, but they can ease knowing he is not meant to be the top guy right away.
Latu spent five years at Alabama, only truly playing in 2021 and 2022. In 2021 he played in 14 games and 11 in 2022. Those two seasons are the only ones he genuinely made an impact on the field. In 2022, Latu had 56 receptions for 787 yards and 12 touchdowns, according to Sports Reference. The tight end is also 6 feet 5 inches, making him the big target the 49ers are looking for.
His injuries will be something to monitor. Hopefully, with the number of targets that San Francisco has, this one of the 49ers draft picks will be able to stay on the field. The tight end room will now hold George Kittle, Cameron Latu, Ross Dwelley, and Charlie Woerner.
There will still be a good number of 49ers draft picks on day three. The fifth round is where the team has founded hidden gems, and potentially they will be able to do that again this year.
