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Questionable draft decision haunting 49ers already
Jake Moody Robert Edwards-USA TODAY Sports

Questionable draft decision haunting 49ers already

San Francisco 49ers rookie kicker Jake Moody didn't do much to quell the doubters who criticized the team for selecting him in the third round of this year's NFL Draft, producing a less-than-ideal outing in his preseason debut Sunday. 

Moody finished 0-for-2 on field goal attempts against the Las Vegas Raiders, including misses from 40 and 58 yards. 

Despite making both extra point attempts, Moody's day was an overall disappointment. The 23-year-old has flashed what his remarkable leg can do during 49ers training camp, but that didn't translate Sunday against the Raiders. 

"I'm glad it happened now," Moody said via NBC Sports Bay Area. "There's a lot to learn from it. Watch the tape and stuff like that, and just move on."

Teams expect hiccups from first-year players, especially early on. This goes doubly for Moody, who has more pressure on his shoulders than most rookie kickers after being selected 99th overall by the 49ers. However, missing 40-yard field goals won't make him many friends on the sidelines, nor will it provide Moody with much job security, high pick or not. 

Moody's first miss of the day wasn't excusable. However, Moody was his harshest critic after pushing a 58-yard attempt wide right in the fourth quarter. 

"58 yards, it's a longer one," Moody said. "I have all the confidence in the world that I can go out and nail that."

Plenty of kickers have struggled to start their pro careers, so there's no reason to press the panic button on Moody yet. But, after passing on plenty of talent in the third round of this year's draft to choose Moody, the possibility that the 49ers might one day feel buyer's remorse is still very much on the table. 

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