The San Francisco 49ers will host Temple guard Dion Dawkins, per the Sacramento Bee. Dawkins started two games as a true freshman with the Owls before suffering a season-ending foot injury.
"With top-flight tackles and guards becoming scarce in the NFL, Dawkins is someone who could tempt the 49ers, perhaps in the second or third rounds," writes Matt Barrows of the Sacramento Bee.
Having the experience of playing both tackle and guard could make Dawkins valuable among offensive lineman in the upcoming draft. "It's basically getting two boxes of pizza for the price of one," Dawkins said at the NFL Scouting Combine in February. "It's a blessing that I have been able to play multiple positions well. I plan to learn how to play center also. Once you learn every position, there's no reason why you won't have a long career."
Dawkins' play along the interior of the offensive line at the Senior Bowl has helped elevate his draft stock. He is the fifth reported player who will visit with the 49ers at their headquarters in Santa Clara. Each NFL team is permitted to host up to 30 players but they are not allowed to work out for the team unless they are local prospects.
Alabama LB Reuben Foster visited with the 49ers on March 17. Others who are reportedly scheduled to meet with the 49ers are Mississippi State LB Jonathan Calvin (per Draft Analyst), Kansas State LB Elijah Lee (per Draft Diamonds) and Clemson QB Deshaun Watson (per the Sacramento Bee).
Lance Zierlein of NFL Media, who compares Dawkins to Joe Barksdale, had the following to say in his scouting report:
"Quality tackle who operates with good balance and solid technique. Shows some good initial quickness and a smooth kick-slide out of his stance, but might be better in short areas as a guard rather than in open space as a tackle. He's athletic enough to operate in space, but power appears to be his calling card. His wide-hand approach in pass protection could be a difficult habit to break, but he has the natural power to withstand bull rush that might come with that. Dawkins is a well-schooled, three-year starter who has chance to transition into an early starter."
Measurables
Height: 6-4
Weight: 314 lbs.
Arm length: 35 inches
Hand length: 9 7/8 inches
NFL Scouting Combine
40-time: 5.11 seconds
Vertical: 26 inches
Broad jump: 106 inches
3-cone drill: 7.30 seconds
Bench press: 26 reps
20-yard shuttle: 4.78 seconds
