The San Francisco 49ers have experienced success in the latter two days of the draft, discovering hidden gems capable of becoming key contributors. Some examples include tight end George Kittle in the fifth round in 2017, linebacker Fred Warner in the third round in 2018, wide receiver Deebo Samuel in the second round in 2019, and, famously, quarterback Brock Purdy with the final overall pick in 2022.
Pro Football Focus recently pinpointed one draft fit for each team on Day 2 and another for Day 3. Contributor Dalton Wasserman handled the duties for Day 2, zeroing in on former Oregon defensive lineman Brandon Dorlus, who can excel on the edge or interior in the NFL. Pro Football Focus identifies him as a defensive tackle for the 49ers.
"The 49ers need help at defensive tackle, and Oregon's Brandon Dorlus fits the bill as an athletic penetrator who can line up at nearly any spot," Wasserman wrote.
Dorlus tallied 25 tackles, including 6.5 for a loss, five sacks, and nine passes defensed in 14 game appearances as a senior in 2023, per Sports Reference. Throughout his collegiate career, he recorded 108 tackles, including 27 for a loss, 12 sacks, and 14 passes defensed over five seasons.
Wasserman added, "He racked up at least 40 pressures in three straight college seasons. He also posted nearly identical run-defense grades in the mid-70s in those three years."
Dorlus also showed significant improvement as a tackler. He had 11 missed tackles in 2022, reducing that number to three in 2023. His tackling grade improved from 37.9 or lower from 2020 through 2022 to 73.4 last season.
At the NFL Scouting Combine, the 6'3" and 283-pound Dorlus clocked a 40-yard dash time of 4.85 seconds, a vertical jump of 30.5 inches, and a broad jump of 9 feet, 3 inches.
Analyst Gordon McGuinness tackled the Day 3 fits and identified former Missouri offensive tackle Javon Foster for the 49ers.
"Foster, a three-year starter at left tackle in the SEC, could wind up kicking inside to guard at the next level," McGuinness wrote. "He earned PFF grades above 80.0 in each of the past three seasons and allowed just 13 quarterback pressures from 449 pass-blocking snaps in 2023."
Foster surrendered only one sack last season in those 449 pass-blocking snaps and has played all 2,709 of his snaps over the last three seasons at left tackle. In addition to his pass-blocking success, Foster achieved a career-high 85.8 run-blocking grade in 2023.
At the NFL Scouting Combine, the 6' 5 1/2" and 313-pound Foster recorded a 40-yard dash time of 5.3 seconds, a vertical jump of 32.5 inches, and a broad jump of 8 feet, 10 inches.