SANTA CLARA – Safety Malik Mustapha isn't just the 49ers' first pick on Day 3 of the NFL Draft. Historically, he’ll go down in team history because the player they chose with the fourth-round pick they acquired from the Dallas Cowboys last August in exchange for 2021 draft loser Trey Lance.
Speaking of trades, the 49ers dealt two picks within the fifth round to the New York Jets to trade up for Louisville running back Isaac Guerendo and ended the fourth round by choosing Arizona wide receiver Jacob Cowing.
S MALIK MUSTAPHA
Mustapha, chosen 124th overall, adds depth to a position that needs bodies, including as insurance for starter Talanoa Hufanga, who’s coming back from tearing his anterior cruciate ligament last season. Two years ago, Mustapha was recovering from his own ACL injury suffered within the Gator Bowl.
“I'm a downhill, speed and tenacity ball player who plays physical and with a lot of fire,” Mustapha said in a video conference with Bay Area reporters.
Mustapha was a team captain at Wake Forest last season and totaled three interceptions, 4 sacks, 4 forced fumbles and 10 passes defensed in his three seasons there. He played his first yr in Richmond throughout the pandemic-shortened 2020 season.
Mustapha (5-foot-10, 206 kilos) ran the 40-yard dash in 4.54 seconds. Aside from being an understudy to Hufanga and fellow safety Ji'Ayir Brown, search for him to attempt to win a roster spot via special teams, as Mustapha himself explained. He claims he's a “perfect fit” for the 49ers' defensive model, and while he's picked up gems from studying Hufanga's film, he's also modeled his game on Budda Baker as an undersized but fearless safety.
RB ISAAC GUERENDO
A 6-foot, 220-pound runner, he raced through the 40-yard dash on the mix in 4.33 seconds. He spent five years in Wisconsin before moving to Louisville last yr. He averaged 6 yards per carry during his college profession.
Guerendo made essentially the most of his only collegiate start, the Holiday Bowl win against USC. He threw for a career-high 161 yards and three touchdowns, which was essentially the most in Louisville Bowl history. He scored 18 touchdowns in his six-year college profession.
Guerendo is happy to get behind NFL rushing champion Christian McCaffrey.
“Obviously he’s one of the greatest defenders. I just told my family that he will be annoyed with me and how many questions I will ask him,” Guerendo said in a video conference. “Given the amount of production he has, his consistency, his recovery plan… being able to pick the brains of a great back is really important.”
Guerendo is just the fifth running back drafted by the 49ers in eight years under general manager John Lynch, the others being Joe Williams (2017, fourth round), Elijah Mitchell (2021, sixth round), Trey Sermon (2021, third round) and Ty Davis-Price (2022, third round).
Mitchell served as McCaffrey's backup for the past 1 1/2 seasons, with Jordan Mason also serving as a reserve.
“It’s a talented backfield and I’m looking forward to learning from these greats and hopefully contributing,” Guerendo said.
WR JACOB COWING
The 49ers have now chosen two Arizona-born wide receivers (Ricky Pearsall, first round) as targets for Queen Creek native Brock Purdy.
“The guys from Arizona,” Chandler’s Cowing said in his video conference. “I know Ricky very well because we worked together throughout the entire process. I look forward to working with Brock, Ricky and the entire team to win the Super Bowl.”
Cowing (5-foot-8, 168 kilos) is a lightning-quick option out of the slot because the mix has run the 40-yard dash in 4.38 seconds.
After three seasons because the University of Texas-El Paso's leading receiver, Cowing transferred to Arizona and in 2023 recorded: 85 catches, 1,034 yards and 7 touchdowns; 90 catches, 848 yards, 13 touchdowns last season.
Cowing initially modeled his game on Seahawks receiver Tyler Lockett and saw his speed as a significant advantage that the 49ers could also use as a return specialist. “I want to bring the Super Bowl ring back to the Bay Area,” Cowing said. “Wherever they put me to get that 'W,' I'll do my part.”
Cowing visited the 49ers before the draft and added: “I thought it was a good fit and a great atmosphere. It went exactly as I had hoped. Now we’re here, I’m a 49er and I’m ready.”
So far the 49ers have won:
Wide receiver Ricky Pearsall: Florida (first round, No. 31)
Cornerback Renardo Green: Florida State (second round, No. 64)
Guard Dominick Puni: Kansas (third round, No. 86)
Security Malik Mustapha (fourth round, No. 124)
Running back Isaac Guerendo (fourth round, No. 129)
Wide receiver Jacob Cowing (fourth round, No. 135)
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