49ers’ Tariq Ahmad goes deep on Nick Martin, CJ West and the entire draft class
Junior Bergen, receiver/returner, seventh round
The 49ers couldn’t say no to Bergen when it came to their final pick. Or rather, they couldn’t say no to their special teams coaches.The son of coordinator Brant Boyer is the kicker at Montana, while Boyer’s top assistant, Colt Anderson, played safety for the Grizzlies from 2004 to 2008.
That is, the duo had inside connections and did a lot of research on Bergen, who scored eight punt-return touchdowns in college and averaged nearly 17 yards per return.
“When he was there with our last pick and the special teams coaches are standing on the table emphatically for him, it makes it easier to draft him,” Ahmad said.
Bergen’s return skills are more impressive than his receiving skills, and if he makes the 2025 roster, it will likely be as the primary punt returner.
“It’s a combination of instincts and fearlessness,” Ahmad said. “I think these great punt returners can see it and react to it and run through it all full speed. They have the vision to set things up and then they can get downhill.”