2025 Draft Prospect Watch List and Discussion

Originally posted by Kolohe:

Originally posted by NYniner85:
Interesting

Matt Maiocco believes the 49ers will trade for a veteran player or two:

"I think they do. In fact, I think they will. I don't know when it might happen, if it's going to happen after the draft or during it, but I do think the 49ers are very interested in acquiring a veteran… pic.twitter.com/JwSwFzqyXe

— Coach Yac 🗣 (@Coach_Yac) April 21, 2025

Please be a Center with a 4th or 5th round pick.

Love how the rumors start trickling in the closer it gets to the draft.

Originally posted by DRCHOWDER:

Originally posted by Kolohe:

Originally posted by NYniner85:
Interesting

Matt Maiocco believes the 49ers will trade for a veteran player or two:

"I think they do. In fact, I think they will. I don't know when it might happen, if it's going to happen after the draft or during it, but I do think the 49ers are very interested in acquiring a veteran… pic.twitter.com/JwSwFzqyXe

— Coach Yac 🗣 (@Coach_Yac) April 21, 2025

Please be a Center with a 4th or 5th round pick.

Love how the rumors start trickling in the closer it gets to the draft.

hmmm...

Originally posted by Willisfn4life:
This is where Maiocco references what NY posted. Not much context as far as positions, etc...

Very interesting #49ers' draft plan nugget from @MaioccoNBCS from my Saturday @KNBR Niners #NFLDraft2025 Preview Show. Look for a veteran addition or two during draft weekend? Who? Bryce Huff? Michael Mayer? Both? pic.twitter.com/AGYSaIYYB4

— Larry Krueger (@sportslarryk) April 21, 2025

Originally posted by Willisfn4life:
This is where Maiocco references what NY posted. Not much context as far as positions, etc...

Very interesting #49ers' draft plan nugget from @MaioccoNBCS from my Saturday @KNBR Niners #NFLDraft2025 Preview Show. Look for a veteran addition or two during draft weekend? Who? Bryce Huff? Michael Mayer? Both? pic.twitter.com/AGYSaIYYB4

— Larry Krueger (@sportslarryk) April 21, 2025

Originally posted by NYniner85:

Originally posted by Willisfn4life:
This is where Maiocco references what NY posted. Not much context as far as positions, etc...

Very interesting #49ers' draft plan nugget from @MaioccoNBCS from my Saturday @KNBR Niners #NFLDraft2025 Preview Show. Look for a veteran addition or two during draft weekend? Who? Bryce Huff? Michael Mayer? Both? pic.twitter.com/AGYSaIYYB4

— Larry Krueger (@sportslarryk) April 21, 2025

Da f**k we want Bryce huff for lol? Don't hate Mayer, doesn't move the needle a ton though.

Originally posted by the_dynasty:
I dont really want Bryce Huff...and including him in a draft day trade does not sound good to me....

a pass rushing specialist who is doo doo and outright liability in the run game is just not inspiring to me. Fangio first tried using him as a three down rusher and quickly benched him last year. This guy would get blown up and pancaked by tight ends...

I get it he played for the Jets and his best year came under Saleh and this team likes to rotate linemen...but... meh

Originally posted by Willisfn4life:
Id be shocked if we got Huff. I think it's the fact that he has been rumored to being shopped and there is history with Saleh. Drawing hypotheticals imo.

Originally posted by NYniner85:
Yeah I get it. I want no part of that with the cash and DM tied in there. Just go draft a guy on day 3 for dirt cheap.

Originally posted by Sask49erFan:
It's going to be Mykel Williams (if he's available) or Jahdea Barron

• Vertical speed. Need a WR in the 4.3s that can track the ball deep. A TE that can run the seams would be nice. JJ and Deebo werent taking the top off. Need a health CMC who can run a wheel route. Got to be able to run 4 vertical concepts. (Dike, Watkins, Donte Thornton, Kyle Williams all over 17 ypc last season)
• Power oline. Obviously KS has movement requirements to meet his zone scheme, but I think whoever we draft is coming in with some weight and strength. We bring in Belton and Ersey for top 30 visits which are completely different body types from McKivitz. Purdy needs more time for routes to develop. I think theres a small change in how much we value guard and RT.
• Power run. Mason was successful last year. I see someone like Rocket Sanders making more sense than a Jaydon Blue for example.

• Run stopping edge. I see a need for a pass rushing specialist, but we have to have someone that can set the edge as well. You have to put them in 3rd and 10 before you can take advantage of 3rd and ten with personnel.
• Beef inside. Theres alot of undersized prospects in the class that are alluring pass rushers. I think we double dip at the position but we need to come away with someone that is a force inside. Give me height, weight, strength like a Harmon, Alfred Collins, Farmer. The speed 3 tech is sexier, but lets make sure we can stop the run.
• Deprioritize corner - You play less nickel, but keep Lenoir on the field so he plays outside as well. That means whoever is playing the boundary or nickel in his place is a part time corner. You draft a depth and hope to develop a quick role, but it shouldnt be with a top 50 pick.
• Outside linebacker does not need to be a 3 down player. The normal safety convert that we covet, may be limited to a 3rd down role. Maybe you draft a Medrano type, but that should be paired with a run thumper. Give me a 235+ pounder to play run downs. Or someone that has least has the playing strength and aggressiveness to play that big.

Originally posted by scooterhd:
I think the 49ers biggest challenge is to adapt to shell defenses. I'm not talking about a complete rethink. You want to remain flexible, but I think the way we view some positions needs to change.

On offense

• Vertical speed. Need a WR in the 4.3s that can track the ball deep. A TE that can run the seams would be nice. JJ and Deebo werent taking the top off. Need a health CMC who can run a wheel route. Got to be able to run 4 vertical concepts. (Dike, Watkins, Donte Thornton, Kyle Williams all over 17 ypc last season)
• Power oline. Obviously KS has movement requirements to meet his zone scheme, but I think whoever we draft is coming in with some weight and strength. We bring in Belton and Ersey for top 30 visits which are completely different body types from McKivitz. Purdy needs more time for routes to develop. I think theres a small change in how much we value guard and RT.
• Power run. Mason was successful last year. I see someone like Rocket Sanders making more sense than a Jaydon Blue for example.

On defense, need to slightly deprioritize nickel packages. Where we prioritized light and fast, we need to bulk up.

• Run stopping edge. I see a need for a pass rushing specialist, but we have to have someone that can set the edge as well. You have to put them in 3rd and 10 before you can take advantage of 3rd and ten with personnel.
• Beef inside. Theres alot of undersized prospects in the class that are alluring pass rushers. I think we double dip at the position but we need to come away with someone that is a force inside. Give me height, weight, strength like a Harmon, Alfred Collins, Farmer. The speed 3 tech is sexier, but lets make sure we can stop the run.
• Deprioritize corner - You play less nickel, but keep Lenoir on the field so he plays outside as well. That means whoever is playing the boundary or nickel in his place is a part time corner. You draft a depth and hope to develop a quick role, but it shouldnt be with a top 50 pick.
• Outside linebacker does not need to be a 3 down player. The normal safety convert that we covet, may be limited to a 3rd down role. Maybe you draft a Medrano type, but that should be paired with a run thumper. Give me a 235+ pounder to play run downs. Or someone that has least has the playing strength and aggressiveness to play that big.

Originally posted by NYniner85:

It's sounding more and more like the #Patriots will be taking Will Campbell with the fourth overall pick. I'm going to say it's a Rickey🔒. #NEPats #NFLDraft pic.twitter.com/5cnsYCE6XR

— Slick Rick (@SlickRickScoops) April 21, 2025

This guy has been pretty on point a ton

Originally posted by NYniner85:

Originally posted by 49erBigMac:
That's a good read, and a lot of what I saw. I'd be fine moving Lenoir outside and plugging Barron in, he'd then be on the field over Green for me in base on the outside. We just don't draft DB's that high. I could see a board where we did it, but unlikely.

Yeah see that's where we differ, Lenoir shines inside. Barron will be at his best inside. IMO you're not really solving a problem on the roster.