49ers Had NFL's 7th-Most-Productive Rookie Class in 2025

The 49ers are coming off a dismal 6-11 season and just watched nine starters leave in free agency. But 2024 wasn't all bad for the 49ers.

They also had the seventh-most productive rookie class in the NFL according to Pro Football Focus. Which means the 49ers have hope for the future.

"San Francisco’s 2024 season was a disappointment, but not because of its draft picks," writes PFF analyst Bradley Locker. "Third-round guard Dominick Puni was a revelation, turning in 0.33 WAR and an 80.5 PFF overall grade — which ranked sixth among qualifiers at the position. The 49ers’ injuries in the secondary were mitigated by the play of Renardo Green (74.3 PFF coverage grade) and Malik Mustapha (66.3 PFF run-defense grade).

"Despite playing in only 11 games, first-round pick Ricky Pearsall still managed to accrue 0.12 WAR with a 64.1 PFF receiving grade. Most impressive might be that none of the 49ers’ rookies contributed negative WAR."

In addition, fourth-round pick Isaac Guerendo was extremely efficient both as a runner and as a receiver in limited reps. He should be the 49ers' No. 2 running back next season.

But as productive as these rookies were, the only one of them who's proven to be a quality starter is Puni. The other rookies are promising but still unproven. We don't know if Mustapha, Green, Pearsall or Guerendo ever will be difference makers the way Puni already is one.

Still, 2024's draft class should give the 49ers confidence that they can draft well again this year. And they'll need to draft well after losing so many starters in one offseason.