Phoenix's prospects to watch:2020 edition.

Phoenix49ers · 2019-09-03T14:59:40-07:00

These are some of the guys I'm keeping tabs on for the season who may fill needs for this team. Some I'm already a huge fan of, others I've seen a little of and am looking to see further improvement in their games. Andrew Thomas-OT-Georgia-Prototypical modern tackle and an excellent fit for this scheme. Athletic, high football IQ, coming out of a pro style offense, would be a natural replacement for Staley if they opted to keep McGlinchey at RT. I have a feeling he might be in the discussion for a top 5 pick by the time the season is over but if he was anywhere close to the 49ers range, he looks like someone that would be well worth it. J.R. Reed-S-Georgia-Tremendous playmaker at the safety position for Georgia. Good size and athleticism, he's someone that could move way up with a another good season. Son of former Vikings WR Jake Reed. Isaiah Simmons-LB-Clemson-I know right now the 49ers have Warner and Alexander but if either regresses or if Alexander continues to be plagued by injury issues then Simmons would be an intriguing addition to this defense. I think he'd be the perfect weakside LB, a guy who can fly around the field, tackle, punish ballcarriers as well as drop back in coverage with no problem, he'd be another star level prospect that they could add. This is a big-time, big-game player that provides a lot of versatility in where you can move him on defense. Might not be the biggest need but man could he be a weapon. Grant Delpit-S-LSU-Big, physical safety that is a monster against the run but with terrific awareness in coverage. High football IQ player with tremendous size and athleticism. I think he is a complete enough safety that he could step in at either FS or SS and be a starter from the get-go. Alohi Gilman-S-Notre Dame-Smart player, good instincts and awareness for the position. Doesn't have the size or athleticism of a Delpit but shows very good recognition in coverage. Jaylon Johnson-CB-Utah-Well built, physical CB that isn't afraid to throw down. Really good anticipation when in zone coverage, great press CB and has been pretty outstanding at going after contested passes. Had 4 INT's last season. Tristan Wirfs-OT-Iowa- A high quality tackle from one of the best pro OL producing factories in college football. Wirfs potentially could play left or right tackle in the NFL and would provide a replacement for either McGlinchey(moving to left tackle) or for Staley. Wirfs is a physical monster with freakish power along with the athleticism to stay in front of speedier pass rushers. Apparently he power cleans 450 pounds which is plain absurd. Even more absurd is that he did that at 20 years old. He's been the only offensive tackle in the Ferentz era to have started as a true freshman. Technique is absolutely on point, he looks like he'll be a great pro tackle. Alaric Jackson-OT-Iowa-Back to back for Iowa, basically just check out their entire OL. Jackson is probably best suited to play right tackle in the NFL with McGlinchey moving to the blind side but with a good season, both he and Wirfs have the potential to move up considerably. Walker Little-OT-Stanford-Another tackle that reminds me a lot of McGlinchey. Ideal size for this offense, fairly athletic, great run blocker that is also a reliable pass protector. I wouldn't be shocked to see him go in the Top 10 when all is said and done. Curtis Weaver-DE-Boise State-I love what I've seen from him thus far. Last year at this time I was pretty impressed by Josh Allen and Weaver similarly is another intriguing edge rusher. Probably not the ideal edge but man is Weaver relentless. He just keeps coming and coming at you all game long, has a decent assortment of pass rush moves and simply finds ways to beat his guy to get to the QB. He doesn't have the sort of bend that DeMarcus Lawrence did at Boise but he might be even more tenacious of a player. I won't be shocked to see him in the 1st round conversation eventually. Ezra Cleveland-OT-Boise State-Another Boise State guy to watch. In almost 1,000 snaps he allowed 13 pressures last year. He's a well balanced lineman in his ability to run block and pass protect. Bryce Hall-CB-Virginia-Great size for the position at 6'2". A lot of what he does reminds me of Richard Sherman. Not a super explosive athlete but technically proficient and a ballhawk that every 50/50 ball belongs to. Broke up 22 passes last season. Tyler Biadasz-C-Wisconsin-If Richburg for whatever reason can't get it together, Biadasz might be worth a look. He comes from a program with a long history of putting out quality NFL offensive linemen and is a very experienced and savvy center with a high football IQ. There are some concerns athletically so the offseason in particular will be crucial for him. Tommy Kraemer-OT/OG-Notre Dame-Just another quality lineman from Notre Dame. Has been up and down a bit, from starter to backup to starter again but has the look of a potential Day 1 starter in the NFL at guard. A good season will shore up his draft position as right now I'd expect him to be a mid 2nd to late 3rd rounder if he came out. Julian Okwara-DE-Notre Dame-Only because the thought of having this guy in a rotation with Bosa and Ford in the Wide 9 makes me want to go full Mayo in my pants. Super athletic edge rusher that was born to play in this scheme. Kenny Cooper-C-Georgia Tech-Could be fun to watch. Cooper is an experienced center who is a terrific run blocker, has played both center and guard. Undersized but technically sound, this year will determine a lot about his draft status. He could wind up as high as the 3rd round or drop out of the draft altogether. GT has finally moved away from their long-time triple option offense and they are running more of a pro style offense with a whole lot of outside zone as part of it.

Sep 3, 2019 at 3:05 PM

Hysterikal
Veteran
Posts: 39,659

Good read thanks man. I'm reading between the lines here but it seems like you think we should be looking to add some players in the secondary and OL.

Sep 3, 2019 at 3:11 PM

Phoenix49ers
Veteran
Posts: 131,809

Originally posted by Hysterikal:
Good read thanks man. I'm reading between the lines here but it seems like you think we should be looking to add some players in the secondary and OL.

Sep 3, 2019 at 3:35 PM

LottDMontanaO
Veteran
Posts: 7,772

Great stuff - thanks for posting, Phoenix! I wish I had more time to dedicate to college football and this will really help as a guide for players to watch on these respective teams.

Sep 3, 2019 at 4:08 PM

Hopper
Veteran
Posts: 12,390

Walker Little will be out the next 6 weeks.

Sep 3, 2019 at 4:56 PM

kirkscrafford
Veteran
Posts: 401

Lots of OL on your list! Do you think any of the the T's would be able to slide inside for a year or two?

Sep 3, 2019 at 5:04 PM

Phoenix49ers
Veteran
Posts: 131,809

Originally posted by kirkscrafford:
Lots of OL on your list! Do you think any of the the T's would be able to slide inside for a year or two?

Jackson and Wirfs could be guards, Kraemer definitely could and that might be his best NFL position.

Sep 3, 2019 at 5:20 PM

Alfienator
Veteran
Posts: 5,080

Do you know what their current draft round projections are?

[ Edited by Alfienator on Sep 3, 2019 at 5:20 PM ]

Sep 3, 2019 at 5:40 PM

jersey49er
Veteran
Posts: 7,667

Biggest draft crush on Delpit but I agree with Gilman, fav OL is Biadasz, fav CB is Hall, give me 1 of them in the 1st please..

Sep 3, 2019 at 5:43 PM

jersey49er
Veteran
Posts: 7,667

Originally posted by Alfienator:
Do you know what their current draft round projections are?

As of now I'd say mostly all 1st rounders, so like in my last post 1 of Delpit ( top 10 which I sure hope not ) Biadasz ( top 20 ) Hall ( top 20 ) IMO

Sep 3, 2019 at 6:09 PM

#10

Phoenix49ers
Veteran
Posts: 131,809

Originally posted by Alfienator:
Do you know what their current draft round projections are?

The OT's or everyone in general? Its really a mix, some high 1st rounders, some mid first rounders, some potential 2nd to 5th rounders. Thomas, Wirfs and Little are all likely early 1st rounders. Jackson could anywhere from Pick 10 to the late 1st/early 2nd IMO. Cleveland is another guy with a wide range depending on how this season goes, anywhere from mid 1st to late 2nd.

One thing is certain, this is going to be a very good draft class for tackles, potentially a truly great one if everyone comes out. Interior OL not as much but if they want a replacement for Staley or someone to play RT and move McGlinchey to the left side, they should have some nice options no matter where they pick in the 1st.

Sep 3, 2019 at 6:13 PM

#11

Phoenix49ers
Veteran
Posts: 131,809

I can't believe I neglected this dude, he's impossible to miss. I'll be watching just for the freak factor.

https://theathletic.com/1065937/2019/07/12/bruce-feldmans-freaks-list-2019-college-football-top-athletic-performances/

The humongous sophomore from Australia comes it at 6-9, 400 pounds. He has 275 pounds of lean mass, which is more lean mass than most football players weigh — including most of the guys he's tasked with blocking. Faalele bench pressed 391 pounds this offseason. He hang cleans 375 and squats 570, but it's his movement at that size that is eye-opening stuff. He vertical jumps 29 inches, who for someone 300 pounds would be really good. For someone 400 pounds … well, we'll get to that in a minute. He broad jumped 8-7. Same deal as it relates to what an athletic 300-pound NFL prospect would do.

Sep 3, 2019 at 6:13 PM

#12

Hysterikal
Veteran
Posts: 39,659

What running back do you like this year? Seems like every year you identify a really good RB.

Sep 3, 2019 at 6:20 PM

#13

Alfienator
Veteran
Posts: 5,080

Originally posted by Phoenix49ers:
Originally posted by Alfienator:
Do you know what their current draft round projections are?

The OT's or everyone in general? Its really a mix, some high 1st rounders, some mid first rounders, some potential 2nd to 5th rounders. Thomas, Wirfs and Little are all likely early 1st rounders. Jackson could anywhere from Pick 10 to the late 1st/early 2nd IMO. Cleveland is another guy with a wide range depending on how this season goes, anywhere from mid 1st to late 2nd.

One thing is certain, this is going to be a very good draft class for tackles, potentially a truly great one if everyone comes out. Interior OL not as much but if they want a replacement for Staley or someone to play RT and move McGlinchey to the left side, they should have some nice options no matter where they pick in the 1st.

Ah ok thanks. Depends how this season goes but hoping the Niners beef up the o-line and looks like next years draft is looking good for that

Sep 3, 2019 at 6:36 PM

#14

Phoenix49ers
Veteran
Posts: 131,809

Originally posted by Hysterikal:
What running back do you like this year? Seems like every year you identify a really good RB.

D'Andre Swift out of Georgia is an absolute beast but I think most everyone knows that by now. Reggie Corbin of Illinois is amazing but somehow falls under the radar. Jet Anderson from TCU as a third down/change of pace back. Also Bennie LeMay of Charlotte who has been tremendously productive.