One thing is for sure in 2024 - the San Francisco 49ers rookie class came ready to play.
With early injuries to several of their playmakers, the red and gold has had to lean on its 2024 NFL Draft class early and often. ESPN's Nick Wagoner reported that through the first eight games of the season, first-year players logged 1,665 snaps which is almost as many snaps as last year's draft class recorded during the 2023 regular season (1,760 snaps).
Third-round pick Dominick Puni was the first of this current rookie class to earn a spot in the starting lineup after San Francisco's top options at right guard, Jon Feliciano and Spencer Burford, went down in training camp. Feliciano had to undergo knee surgery and is still on the Injured Reserve list, and Burford broke his right hand at the end of July, cutting into his reps during camp and the preseason. Puni went on to start at right guard in all three preseason contests, and ultimately, he played well enough to keep the job.
The Kansas product has continued to impress through these first ten weeks of the regular season. Against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, the rookie offensive lineman emerged as the top graded 49ers player in Pro Football Focus' weekly grades. His 83.4 offensive grade from the 49ers Week 10 matchup isn't even his best mark of the year. He earned an 87.8 overall grade versus the Seattle Seahawks in Week 6 and an 85.8 grade when facing the New England Patriots in Week 4.
According to PFF, Puni allowed two quarterback hurries on Sunday, bringing his pressures total for the season up to 16. None of his pressures thus far have resulted in a quarterback hit, and he's yet to give up a sack in 2024.
