According to ESPN’s Nick Wagoner, the San Francisco 49ers have started signing part of their rookie class. The team inked cornerback Renardo Green from Florida State, running back Isaac Guerendo from Louisville, and wide receiver Jacob Cowing from Arizona to their four-year rookie contracts.
The 49ers chose Green as a second-round draft pick, selecting him 64th overall in the 2024 NFL Draft. His four-year contract is valued at about $6.39 million, with a signing bonus of approximately $1.47 million and a 2024 salary cap hit of about $1.16 million.
#49ers signed three of their draft picks today: CB Renardo Green, RB Isaac Guerendo, WR Jacob Cowing
— Nick Wagoner (@nwagoner) May 10, 2024
Green (6-0, 186) recorded 43 tackles, including 2.5 for a loss, 0.5 sacks, 13 passes defensed, and an interception in 13 games during his senior season in 2023, per Sports Reference. Over his collegiate career, he amassed 148 tackles, including seven for a loss, 0.5 sacks, 22 passes defensed, an interception, and a forced fumble in five seasons.
After being drafted, when asked about his playing style, Green told reporters, “The mentality of a dog. One thing that he said was that he wouldn’t want to fight me. I asked him why, and he said, ‘Because I feel like you’ll fight until you die.’ I said, ‘Yeah, that’s what a dog is. You ever seen a dog fight?’ So, he’s seen a lot of things, just on paper about me as a person and how I am. You’re getting a dog, a tenacious football player, an instinctive, athletic football player, and a versatile, smart football player.”
Guerendo, chosen by the 49ers in the fourth round as the 129th overall pick, signed a four-year contract worth about $4.71 million. This includes a signing bonus of approximately $689,000 and a 2024 salary cap hit of about $967,000.
Guerendo (6-0, 221) rushed for 810 yards and 11 touchdowns on 132 carries and caught 22 passes for 234 yards in 14 games during his senior season in 2023, per Sports Reference. Throughout his college career, he accumulated 1,392 rushing yards on 231 attempts and 17 rushing touchdowns, adding 42 receptions for 358 yards and a receiving touchdown over five seasons.
Guerendo joins a running back room that includes star Christian McCaffrey.
“Obviously, he’s one of the greatest backs,” the rookie said of his new teammate. “I was just telling my family, I think that he’s probably going to get annoyed with me and how many questions I’ll ask him just because of the amount of production he has and continues to have and how consistent he is. And then, his recovery plan, just all that stuff.
“Just being able to pick [the brain of a great back] is really important. And then that’s definitely something that I’ll do. So hopefully, in the next few weeks, he’s not annoyed by me, but we’ll see what happens.”
Cowing, selected by the 49ers in the fourth round as the 135th overall pick, signed a four-year contract worth about $4.55 million, including a signing bonus of approximately $529,000 and a 2024 salary cap hit of about $927,000.
Cowing (5-8, 168) caught 90 passes for 848 yards and 13 touchdowns in 13 games during his senior season in 2023, per Sports Reference. Throughout his collegiate career, he totaled 316 receptions for 4,477 yards and 33 touchdowns over five seasons.
When asked about his fit with the 49ers, Cowing responded, “I would say my speed. Also, what I can contribute to the special teams, punt return game, kick return game, my ability to make big plays down the field, score touchdowns, trying to put points on that board. So that’s something I can definitely bring to the team.”
Thanks to the NFL Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA), all rookie contracts are set for four years, with first-round selections carrying a team option for a fifth year, applicable only to wide receiver Ricky Pearsall for the 49ers.
That leaves five players from the 49ers’ 2024 draft class unsigned—Pearsall, guard Dominick Puni, safety Malik Mustapha, guard Jarrett Kingston, and linebacker Tatum Bethune.
