SANTA CLARA — The 49ers completed the second round of the NFL Draft Friday night by making a trade — not involving one of their heralded wide receivers — before signing defensive back Rendardo Green.
Their third-round pick is projected for 94th overall, with six spots to go before a break until Saturday’s final rounds.
A series of offensive tackles likely prompted the 49ers to slide 63rd to the Kansas City Chiefs, moving the Niners down one spot to the Florida State Green. As part of the deal, the 49ers acquired a fifth-round pick (No. 173 overall) and sent a sixth-round pick (No. 211) to their two-time Super Bowl foe.
Green brings versatility and speed to the secondary after five seasons at Florida State.
“They suit me. They’re a good fit for me,” Green said during a video conference with Bay Area media. “They play like savages, they play like dogs. Everyone flies to the ball, everyone plays with the ball, everyone comes to hit and play.
“It’s a high-energy offensive defense,” Green added. “They don’t sit back and let offense fall upon them. No, they are attacking.
A freshman cornerback in 2019, he spent the next two seasons at safety but also lined up in the slot, a job the 49ers were looking to fill this draft. He returned to cornerback the past two seasons, and he noted how he matched up against LSU’s prolific tandem of quarterback Jayden Daniels and receiver Malik Nabers, who were selected No. 2 and 6 in the first round on Thursday.
Green has one interception in 52 career games, but the 49ers noted he had 13 pass completions, 14 passes defensed and 43 tackles last season. They initially listed him as a cornerback.
Green was in contact throughout the pre-draft process with secondary coach Daniel Bullocks. “I didn’t think they were going to pull the trigger,” Green added.
Green believed these casual conversations with Green built trust between the two, adding: “One thing he said was he wouldn’t want to fight me, and I asked him why. He said, “I think you’ll fight until you die.” And I’m like, “Yeah, it’s supposed to be like that.” That’s what a dog is. Have you ever seen a dog fight? He saw what I am: a dog and a tenacious footballer; an instinctive and athletic footballer; and a versatile and intelligent footballer”
After three cornerbacks went in the first round, six followed in the second round before Green went to the 49ers.
Earlier Friday, first-round pick Ricky Pearsall Jr. arrived at Levi’s Stadium with his family, and while he ably handled his media obligations, he said he was eager to get the playbook and to fit into Kyle Shanahan’s offense.
One spot ahead of the 49ers’ initial move in the second round, they saw the Baltimore Ravens grab Roger Rosengarten from Washington, the third offensive tackle to go in an eight-pick span. Then, at No. 63, the Chiefs slid into the 49ers slot and took on BYU offensive tackle Kingsley Suamatia.
Meanwhile, speculation continued to swirl about whether the 49ers might trade fellow wide receiver Deebo Samuel, a more likely candidate than Brandon Aiyuk since the first-round guarantee was spent on Thursday. Samuel told The Athletic’s Dianna Russini his first impression of Pearsall’s addition: “I know what’s happening, but it is what it is. I’m fine staying with them. I am relaxing.”
The 49ers are expected to enter Saturday with six picks: fourth round, Nos. 132 and 135; fifth round, nos. 173 and 176; sixth round, no. 215; and, seventh round, no. 251.
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