The San Francisco 49ers are reportedly considering drafting punter Jack Stonehouse, continuing their trend of selecting kickers and punters in recent drafts. This strategy has faced criticism for potentially overlooking more impactful positions.
The San Francisco 49ers continue to look into kickers and punters during their draft process.
According to NFL and college football analyst Ryan Fowler, 49ers special teams coordinator Brant Boyer had a private meeting with Syracuse punter Jack Stonehouse. Fowler added that San Francisco has shown interest in Stonehouse "throughout the process" and are expected to draft a punter or sign an undrafted free agent.
This is not an uncommon thing for the 49ers. San Francisco drafted punter Mitch Wishnowsky in the fourth round of the 2019 draft before taking kicker Jake Moody in the third round of the 2023 draft. However, taking these players with any selection is usually met with criticism from fans and pundits alike.
Wishnowsky wasn't an awful selection — he played six seasons with the 49ers. But San Francisco missed out on potential starters at other, arguably more important positions like safety Amani Hooker, guard Hjalte Froholdt, guard Ben Powers and even running back Tony Pollard.
Moody was perhaps an even worse pick, though, as the 49ers took him late in the third round and released him after just 32 games. The players picked around Moody weren't great, either, but the positional value just isn't worth it at that high of a draft pick.
The 49ers are also reportedly looking at Houston kicker Ethan Sanchez in the draft, despite giving kicker Eddy Piñeiro a new contract this offseason.
Stonehouse is a solid prospect, but certainly one the 49ers should wait until the final moments of the draft to take or try to sign him after the draft ends. He led the ACC in punt yards in 2025 with 2,780 and had a solid 45 yards per punt during his college career.
The 49ers signed punter Corliss Waitman this offseason to replace Thomas Morstead, but NFL reporter David Lombardi believes the 49ers may be looking to add right-footed punter like Stonehouse to compete with Waitman (who is left-footed) and give the team's return specialists time with both types of punts.
The 49ers have never been afraid to draft punters and kickers, but maybe history tells them they shouldn't.
This article originally appeared on Niners Wire: 49ers appear poised to repeat NFL draft mistake
The 49ers have shown consistent interest in Jack Stonehouse during their draft process, indicating a need to strengthen their special teams.
The 49ers often face criticism for selecting kickers and punters early in the draft, as fans believe they could use those picks on more critical positions.
By drafting punter Mitch Wishnowsky and kicker Jake Moody, the 49ers missed out on potential starters like safety Amani Hooker and running back Tony Pollard.
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