At 1-7 on the season, the San Francisco 49ers are currently projected to have the second overall selection in next year's draft, with only the winless Cleveland Browns ahead of them. Watson is very likely to be one of the top quarterbacks available if not the best quarterback available and the 49ers have a desperate need at the position.
Current starter Colin Kaepernick recently restructured his contract. It now allows him to void the contract following this season and become a free agent, which he is expected to do. The other two quarterbacks on the roster, Blaine Gabbert, and Christian Ponder will also be free agents. While the possibility of resigning one or both of them remains, neither is considered to be a viable option in the long run.
The 49ers are in need of a bonified starting quarterback that the team can build around. General manager Trent Baalke failed to properly address the position in this year's draft. He selected Jeff Driskel out of Louisiana Tech in the sixth round, but he failed to make the final roster and was signed by the Cincinnati Bengals.
This season, through nine games, Watson has passed completed 204 of his 317 passes for 2,497 yards, 24 touchdowns, and 10 interceptions. Through 30 total games with the Tigers, Watson has completed 67.4-percent of his passes for 7,480 yards, 68 touchdowns, and 23 interceptions. He has also rushed for 1,457 yards and 18 touchdowns on 321 attempts.
49ers hosted Clemson CB Nate Wiggins on pre-draft visit
By David Bonilla
Apr 22
Matt Maiocco of NBC Sports Bay Area reports that former Clemson cornerback Nate Wiggins was among the draft prospects the San Francisco 49ers hosted on Top-30 visits.
Cornerback stands out as one of the 49ers' primary needs heading into the draft. The team has been striving to solidify the outside spot opposite Charvarius Ward for years. Doing so this year would allow Deommodore Lenoir to transition to the slot position permanently.
Wiggins is one of several cornerbacks the 49ers have welcomed for visits. Andru Phillips of Kentucky, Decamerion Richardson of Mississippi State, and Chau Smith-Wade of Washington State are among the recent visitors to the team's Santa Clara
49ers held pre-draft interview with Memphis RB Blake Watson
By David Bonilla
Apr 18
Justin Melo of The Draft Network reports that the San Francisco 49ers conducted a virtual interview with former Memphis running back Blake Watson. NFL teams are finalizing their prospect evaluations ahead of the 2024 NFL Draft, which kicks off in one week.
.@MemphisFB RB Blake Watson has outstanding burst + speed. 1,252 yards + 14 TDs 2023. 4.39 40, 41.5" VJ, 11-3 BJ at Pro Day.30s w/ #Broncos +
Insiders identify late risers who 49ers could target in NFL Draft
By David Bonilla
Apr 19
With the 2024 NFL Draft less than a week away, ESPN contributors have highlighted some prospects who have seen their draft stock rise throughout the evaluation process. Jordan Reid and Matt Miller pinpointed players who could hear their names called at the end of the first round.
Interestingly, both of the prospects identified by Reid and Miller play in the trenches but on different sides of the ball. The San Francisco 49ers are widely expected to draft an offensive lineman with their first selection—No. 31 overall. The team mostly ignored the group in free agency. However, it wouldn't surprise many people if the
While most expect the San Francisco 49ers to target an offensive lineman with their first-round pick, NFL Media lead draft writer Eric Edholm has the team going in another direction with the No. 31 overall pick. In his final mock draft of the year, Edholm has the team selecting former Illinois defensive tackle Jer'Zhan Newton, who also goes by "Johnny."
"If you're worried Newton's skill set overlaps too much with that of Javon Hargrave, consider that Hargrave is set to hit the salary cap at more than $28 million in the 2025 season -- when he'll be 32 years old," Edholm explained. "As a relentless scheme-wrecker, Newton would help alleviate the
