The San Francisco 49ers entered the season with a rookie class expected to offer immediate rotational help, developmental upside, and depth insurance across multiple positions. But as the team reaches the bye week, reality has revealed a far different outcome. While several veterans have held the roster together, the contributions from this year’s rookies have been limited, inconsistent, or below developmental expectations.

Here is a detailed examination of the five rookies whose early-season performances have fallen short of expectations.

**1. Ricky Pearsall – WR

Inconsistency and Limited Chemistry**

The 49ers drafted Ricky Pearsall in the first round with the hope that his sharp route-running and positional versatility would allow him to complement a star-studded receiving corps. Instead, he has struggled to carve out a consistent role. Pearsall’s snaps have fluctuated weekly as the coaching staff works to balance usage between Brandon Aiyuk, Deebo Samuel, Jauan Jennings, and a heavily utilized tight end group.

While Pearsall flashed strong hands and awareness in training camp, those traits haven’t fully translated into the regular season. Some of the issue stems from chemistry; Brock Purdy trusts his veteran wideouts, especially in high-leverage situations. Pearsall is still learning spacing nuances in Kyle Shanahan’s timing-based system, and occasional misreads have cost him opportunities.

He still possesses long-term potential, but his impact heading into the bye has not matched first-round expectations.

**2. Renardo Green – CB

Adjustment Curve and Physical Limitations**

Renardo Green, selected to tighten up the secondary, has experienced the steep learning curve typical of rookie cornerbacks in Shanahan’s system. He arrived with strong college tape showing physical man coverage ability and competitive aggression. Yet in the NFL, where spacing, disguise, and anticipation define success, his transition has been uneven.

Green has given up completions in soft spots of zone coverage, committed drive-extending penalties, and occasionally lost leverage in off-man situations. His tackling — a major strength in college — has also been less consistent than expected.

The 49ers believe in his upside, but right now he is not ready for a full defensive workload and has shifted more toward special-teams duty.

**3. Isaac Guerendo – RB

Speed Shows, but Everything Else Lags Behind**

Isaac Guerendo arrived with blistering straight-line speed and big-play potential, but he remains a developmental back rather than a reliable contributor. Shanahan’s run scheme is complex, requiring precise vision, timing, and trust in blocking patterns. Guerendo is still learning how to read outside-zone flow, press the line effectively, and cut decisively without sacrificing momentum.

Ball security concerns during preseason also hurt his early opportunities. With Christian McCaffrey, Elijah Mitchell, and Jordan Mason ahead of him on the depth chart, Guerendo has not seen meaningful snaps. His athleticism is obvious, but the finer skills — pass protection, route tree awareness, decisiveness — need refinement before he can be trusted.

**4. Malik Mustapha – S

Aggression Without Discipline**

Safety Malik Mustapha was drafted to bring physicality and speed to the defensive backfield, but his rookie season has been marked by aggression without control. Mustapha closes downhill with impressive burst, but missed tackles and poor pursuit angles have limited his defensive usage.

In coverage, he has struggled with rotations in the 49ers’ split-safety looks, occasionally reacting late to intermediate breaks. Coaches love his intensity, but they need discipline and reliability before expanding his role.

Special teams have been his main contribution so far, but even there, inconsistency has shown.

**5. Jacob Reeder – OL

Strength Issues and Slow Development**

The 49ers hoped Jacob Reeder could become a long-term depth piece across the interior offensive line, but his development has been slower than projected. Strength limitations have been the biggest barrier — he struggles anchoring against power rushers and can be forced backward in pass protection when isolated.

Footwork remains a work in progress, and he is not yet reliable enough to back up multiple positions. Without the strength baseline required for Shanahan’s wide-zone blocking, Reeder has remained inactive on game days.

The coaching staff remains optimistic, but he is clearly a multi-year project rather than an immediate contributor.