With the 2024 NFL Draft just two weeks away, the San Francisco 49ers are intensifying their evaluations. The team has scheduled visits with two defensive draft prospects in Santa Clara. According to reports from MLFootball on social media, the team will host former Kentucky cornerback Andru Phillips, while Ryan Fowler of The Draft Network reports that former Florida Atlantic defensive lineman Evan Anderson will also be visiting.
NEWS: Kentucky CB Andru Phillips has Top-30 visits scheduled with the #Steelers, #Cardinals, #Eagles, #Bears and #49ers, sources tell @_MLFootball.
A name that continues to fastly rise. pic.twitter.com/dDBcadONgi
— MLFootball (@_MLFootball) March 31, 2024
Upcoming visits for FAU DL Evan Anderson:
• Las Vegas Raiders
— Ryan Fowler (@_RyanFowler_) April 11, 2024
• San Francisco 49ers
• Cincinnati Bengals on the 16th
H/t to Steph Sanchez for the finds.
That brings the total number of known visits to 12. NFL teams are permitted to host up to 30 prospects for visits to their facilities before the draft. These visits, often referred to as "top-30 visits," allow teams to conduct in-depth interviews, medical examinations, and on-field workouts with the prospects.
Phillips recorded 47 tackles, including 1.5 for a loss, and five passes defensed in 12 game appearances as a senior in 2023, per Sports Reference. Over his collegiate career, he accumulated 82 tackles, including three for a loss, and 10 passes defensed across four seasons.
Phillips is ranked as the No. 61 overall player on Dane Brugler's big board for The Athletic. The draft analyst noted, "With his lower-body quickness and agility, Phillips can drive from zone or stay within arm's length downfield in man. He prefers to play a physical brand of football, which is refreshing. However, his handsy tactics needs more subtlety, and his tackling requires better finishing control. Overall, Phillips falls short in a few categories, which leads to in-game volatility. He is battled-tested, though, with the athletic instincts and feisty toughness that will translate to any level of football. He won't be a fit for every team but offers inside-outside versatility with immediate special-teams value, similar to Roger McCreary."
During the NFL Scouting Combine, the 5' 10 3/4" and 190-pound Phillips posted a 40-yard dash time of 4.48 seconds, a vertical jump of 42 inches, and a broad jump of 11 feet, 3 inches. He is projected to be a Day 2 selection.
Anderson appeared in 12 games with the Owls in 2023, recording 58 tackles, including 5.5 for a loss, 3.5 sacks, a pass defensed, and a fumble recovery. The defensive lineman has amassed seven sacks and 148 total tackles throughout his collegiate career.
"A wide-hipped nose, Anderson uses upper-body strength and lateral quickness to wear down the edges of blockers and defend multiple gaps (held his own versus Clemson)," Brugler wrote in his draft profile. "However, he won't be able to beat NFL blockers with athleticism, and his bull rush tends to stall when his pad level rises. Overall, Anderson needs to play with better control, but he has the skill set and play personality to muddy gaps in the run game as a rotational NFL nose tackle."
Anderson is projected to be a priority free agent.
Visit our pre-draft tracker for a comprehensive overview of all reported formal and informal meetings between the 49ers and prospective NFL rookies.
The 2024 NFL Draft will take place in Detroit, Michigan, from Thursday, April 25, through Saturday, April 27.
