SANTA CLARA, Calif. -- The 2024 NFL draft began Thursday night in Detroit and will wrap up on Saturday. The San Francisco 49ers are scheduled to make 10 of the draft's 257 picks, which started with the No. 31 selection of the first round on Thursday night.
ESPN will provide pick-by-pick analysis of each of the 49ers' selections as they are made.
A look at each of San Francisco's scheduled selections:
Analysis of every pick | Updated depth chart
Round 1, No. 31 overall: Ricky Pearsall, WR, Florida
My take: Regardless of the speculation swirling around their current receivers, the 49ers needed to make a significant addition at wide receiver in this draft. With Brandon Aiyuk and Jauan Jennings entering the last year of their rookie contracts and Deebo Samuel's cap charge set to spike this year, the 49ers had to begin planning for the future. The question now is what does it mean for the group already in place? It would be wise to stick with what they have given their Super Bowl desires, but drafting Pearsall will only heat up the rumor mill about a potential trade.
Is this a pick for depth or does it fill a hole? In many ways, it's both. Kyle Shanahan is notoriously hard on young receivers, so it's going to be difficult for Pearsall to get on the field right away with the offense. But the Niners probably won't need him to do much immediately unless they trade one of Aiyuk, Samuel or Jennings. The eventual hope is that Pearsall can be a starter but it feels unlikely that the Niners will ask that of him right away. More likely, he'll push to help as a returner in his rookie season.
Ties to the team to know: How's this for a coincidence? Pearsall began his college career at Arizona State, where he was teammates with ... Aiyuk. While it remains to be seen whether that duo will play together next year, there's another key Sun Devils tie here: former Arizona State coach Herm Edwards is one of Niners general manager John Lynch's closest friends.
Round 2:, No. 64 overall: Renardo Green, CB, Florida State
My take: The 49ers entered Friday with significant short- and long-term needs at cornerback, so it's no surprise they went for one at this point. Starters Charvarius Ward and Deommodore Lenoir are both slated to be unrestricted free agents next offseason. Green joins a crowded room that includes that duo as well as Ambry Thomas, Darrell Luter Jr., Samuel Womack, Rock Ya-Sin and Isaac Yiadom but the Niners hope he can contribute on special teams right away and eventually carve out a defensive role.
Will he start as a rookie? No, but he should have a chance to compete for a role in training camp. Lenoir and Ward will handle the starting duties and if Green can prove he's their third-best corner, he could play with Lenoir moving inside to nickel. Green's 14 pass breakups were most in the ACC and tied for fourth-most in the FBS last year, the kind of ball skills the Niners covet. If that translates, he could work into the mix sooner than later.
Check out some of the top college highlights for new 49ers cornerback Renardo Green.
Round 3: No. 94
Round 4: No. 124 (from Dallas)
Round 4: No. 132 (compensatory selection)
Round 4: No. 135 (compensatory selection)
Round 5: No. 173 (compensatory selection, from Kansas City)
Round 5: No. 176 (compensatory selection)
Round 6: No. 215 (compensatory selection)
Round 7: No. 251