The 49ers Draft CB Renardo Green in Round 2

Green has experience playing outside and in the slot, and he specializes in press man-to-man coverage.

Nov 19, 2022; Tallahassee, Florida, USA; Florida State University wide receiver defensive back / Melina Myers-USA TODAY Sports

This seems like a solid pick.

The 49ers just traded down one spot and drafted Florida State cornerback Renardo Green with pick no. 64. In the trade, the 49ers sent pick nos. 63 and 211 to the Kansas City Chiefs for pick nos. 64 and 173. And with pick no. 63, the Chiefs took offensive tackle Kingsley Suamataia.

Green is the first cornerback the 49ers have drafted before Round 3 in 20 years. And cornerback is a position of need for the 49ers. So kudos to them for taking one relatively early. Green has experience playing outside and in the slot, and he specializes in press man-to-man coverage, which is exactly what gave the 49ers offense problems in the Super Bowl. So it seems the 49ers defense is evolving.

But the 49ers passed on a run of offensive tackles. Instead of trading down, they could have traded up a few spots for Houston OT Patrick Paul, Notre Dame OT Blake Fisher or Washington OT Roger Rosengarten. Or the 49ers simply could have stood pat at pick no. 63 and taken Suamataiai. Instead, the 49ers traded down with the Chiefs, who just beat the 49ers in the Super Bowl, and let the Chiefs take Suamataiai.

So far, the Chiefs have traded up with both of their picks (they traded up for Xavier Worthy in Round 1). Which means they've been aggressive, as opposed to the 49ers who have been passive.

GRADE: B-MINUS.

Green might become a fine cornerback, but corners are easier to find than offensive tackles, and the 49ers just passed on the last few that matter in this draft. They haven't drafted an offensive lineman in two years.