49ers’ draft: Cornerback, defensive end look to extend Round 5 magic
SANTA CLARA — After a trio of third-round selections, the 49ers awoke Saturday morning to try uncovering more Day 3 gems.
How they finish could be more compelling than anything that happens earlier, thanks to last year’s draft-closing pick of quarterback Brock Purdy, who went from Mr. Irrelevant to NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year finalist.
And thanks to prior selections of George Kittle (2017 fifth-round), Dre Greenlaw (2019 fifth round), and Talanoa Hufana (2021 fifth round).
This year’s draft class will join a group that began forming Friday with the selections of safety Ji’Ayir Brown (No. 87), kicker Jake Moody (No. 99) and tight end Cam Latu (No. 101). Here is more on Saturday’s picks that opened with fifth-round selections of South Alabama cornerback Darrell Luter Jr. and Alabama defensive end Robert Beal Jr.:
CORNERBACK DARRELL LUTER JR.
The 49ers, with no fourth-round picks, rejoined the draft mix Saturday by selecting Darrell Luter Jr., a cornerback from South Alabama who says he’s versatile enough to play either outside or in the slot.
Luter visited the 49ers’ facility last week. He adds depth to a relatively young cornerback corps, where the starting spots are ticketed for Charvarius Ward, Deommodore Lenoir and new nickel back Isaiah Oliver. Lenoir was a fifth-round pick himself in 2021, when fellow cornerback Ambry Thomas also was in that draft class. The 49ers took two more cornerbacks last year, in Sam Womack (fifth round) and Tariq Castro-Fields (sixth round); Castro-Fields got waived before the season.
Asked to describe his skillset, Luter said on a media call: “They’re on top of the roof. I’ve got strentgh, physicality and the mental part of the game. Especially coming into the NFL, I said once I get drafted, I’ll be in the playbook as soon get there, I’ll get connected to a veteran, to make them feel I’m a veteran, and to let coaches know they can trust me on the field.”
A native of Hattiesburg, Miss., Luter played two years at nearby Pearl River Community College, then three years at South Alabama, where he earned All-Sun Belt honors as a two-year starter. He had four interceptions in 2021, and he had one last season to go with a career-high 42 tackles.
“As you see down the line, from high school to Pearl to South (Alabama), you see progression. It’s all good,” said Luter, noting that he’s stacked extra motivation by being married and having a daughter.
DEFENSIVE END ROBERT BEAL JR.
Beal may have grown up in Georgia and spent the past six seasons at college football’s powerhouse in Athens, but he grew up a 49ers’ fan, at least when he wasn’t siding with the Falcons.
“It’s crazy, the 49ers were my favorite team growing up as a kid,” Beal said. “It’s a dream come true to be reunited.”
Beal will be a 24-year-old rookie, or two years older than the 49ers’ top pick last year, fellow defensive end Drake Jackson.
Beal (6-foot-4, 247 pounds) ran a 4.4-second 40-yard dash, and that explosion should fit right into the 49ers’ scheme that is led by Nick Bosa. Beal figures to compete for a role in the pass-rusher rotation with Jackson, Clelin Ferrell, Austin Bryant and Kerry Hyder Jr.
“I don’t know too much about what (line coach Kris Kocurek) does, but I know he has Nick Bosa and he’s a dawg,” Beal said. “He’s going to take my game to the next level.”
Beal briefly entered the transfer portal after the 2019 season, but he stuck it out and won national championships the past two years at Georgia. He had 6 1/2 sacks in 2021, then three more last year while starting 8-of-15 games.
“Last year, I was antsy for what the next phase in life was going to be like. It’s why I took it all in,” Beal said. “I’m ready to get out of that bubble and experience the real world.”
Beal’s 34 5/8-inch arms help him both bull rush and speed past blockers. “I use my length to an advantage. But I can’t fit in any shirt comfortably,” Beal added.