Now, to be fair, none of the Senior Bowl participants seem to be saying, "Yeah, I had a terrible meeting with such-and-such team." That would be interesting for headlines but probably wouldn't be the best thing to say heading into the 2021 NFL Draft. Still, it is worth noting those who mention the San Francisco 49ers among their "great" meetings.
Justin Melo of USA Today's Draft Wire has been working hard this week, trying to share what he heard last week from the draft prospects at the Senior Bowl. He already reported that two participants — Notre Dame defensive end Daelin Hayes and San Diego State cornerback Darren Hall — mentioned the 49ers among their memorable meetings.
Melo recently added two more names to the list. The first is Ohio State defensive lineman Jonathon Cooper.
Ohio State DL Jonathon Cooper, like all prospects, met with all 32 teams formally at the @seniorbowl.
Said he had great meetings in particular with the #Patriots, #Seahawks, #Buccaneers, #Raiders, #Eagles and #49ers.
Noted that there were no "bad" meetings.
— Justin M (@JustinM_NFL) February 4, 2021
Cooper recorded 24 tackles, 3.5 sacks, a pass defensed, and a forced fumble through eight games with the Buckeyes this past season, per Sports Reference. He has 15 career sacks.
The next player is Syracuse cornerback Ifeatu Melifonwu, the brother of current 49ers defensive back Obi Melifonwu.
#Syracuse CB Ifeatu Melifonwu tells me he had a great meeting with the #49ers at the Senior Bowl.
Notes that all meetings went well, although they kinda felt like "speed dating" 🤣
— Justin M (@JustinM_NFL) February 5, 2021
Melifonwu recorded 54 tackles, three for a loss, a sack, an interception, and six passes defensed through 10 games as a junior this past season.
Both defensive line and cornerback could be positions targeted by the 49ers in the draft. The latter position group is scheduled to lose several players to free agency. Richard Sherman, K'Waun Williams, Jason Verrett, Ahkello Witherspoon, and others all played this past season on the final year of their contracts.
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