2022 EDGE class

Originally posted by Butter:

Originally posted by kansasninerfan:

Originally posted by Butter:
I know the Combine can be fools gold in a lot of ways, but one guy who's Relative Athletic Score score really stood out is Sam Williams from Ole Miss. I do not see him getting much mention yet.

Looking at straight measurable, he is pretty comparable to Boye Mafe, a rising star at the underwear Olympics.

https://thedraftnetwork.com/prospect-rankings

Sam Williams is a Senior who aligns on the Edge for the Rebel offense. He is a good athlete overall particularly when moving forward but can struggle with reactive movements as a rusher. He took a major step in 2021 and taking advantage of the extra year has seemingly done wonders for his game. In the run game, he is heavy at the point of attack and can set the edge. He has improved with regards to emotional endurance and pursuit when plays are run away from him. The passing game is where he thrives. He has improved his get-off from 2020 to 2021. He is good at converting speed to power to win in the edge and is strong enough to defeat double teams when he is in 4i or 5-technique. While he has also improved with regards to counters, he still isn't the most loose-hipped athlete on the edge and it shows in these instances. I believe he has the schematic versatility to align in a 4-3 as a DE or play OLB in a 3-4.

Thoughts on Williams?

I am re-watching the combine this is exactly why I came here to ask in this thread about Sam Williams. What are the off the field concerns?

If Sam Williams is there in the late 3rd or 4th, seems like a no brainer. Maybe he's the kind of solid player who is getting pushed down because of all the edge talent in this years class?

If we want him I think he's going to be gone by our first 3rd rounder. He checks off all the boxes IMO.

Originally posted by irishluder:

Originally posted by kansasninerfan:
I am re-watching the combine this is exactly why I came here to ask in this thread about Sam Williams. What are the off the field concerns?

He had a sexual battery charge, it was a felony tho, so much more than just a grope, most likely some form of sexual contact with coercion but not rape, every state has its own wording when it comes to levels of assault and Battery. I mentioned him earlier in the thread, he absolutely has the physical attributes and athleticism to be successful in the NFL.

The only reason I would give him a chance on our team is he has since had a baby boy and his entire life revolves around him and he has been vocal about how his dad was not around and he intends to show his son how to live by Sams own actions and choices, he said he knows that his son will hear about his incident at some point and all he wants is for his son to know he made a horrible mistake and was able to turn it around because of his son. His adopted family, who was a teacher of his, said that Sam has matured so much and owned up to his prior choices and is on a very good path for the sake of his son, his prior football coach echoed that... it wasn't the type of empty vouch you get from people that want someone to succeed, all parties openly said he was F'in up but finally had a come to jesus moment when he held his son and has done nothing but mature and take responsibility since.

I find some reassurance in that and hope that he continues on that path and with a strong veteran mentor on his NFL team could help him develop as a player and man and navigate the newfound money and vices that come with being a professional athlete.

I was not tracking the sexual assault charges, that explains why he's not higher on the list.

I'm guessing we're going after edge this draft. Besides Solomon Thomas we tend to find solid to good dline in the draft.

Originally posted by gold49digger:
I'm guessing we're going after edge this draft. Besides Solomon Thomas we tend to find solid to good dline in the draft.

We are elite at finding DT and LB.

DE is yet to be proven since Bosa was such an obvious slam dunk pick. We passed on a lot of good edges in years past.

With that said, Kocurek has a great track record of developing and getting the most out of players so if we draft a guy with the right traits and production I see them doing just fine.

Originally posted by 49oz2superbowl:

Originally posted by gold49digger:
I'm guessing we're going after edge this draft. Besides Solomon Thomas we tend to find solid to good dline in the draft.

We are elite at finding DT and LB.

DE is yet to be proven since Bosa was such an obvious slam dunk pick. We passed on a lot of good edges in years past.

With that said, Kocurek has a great track record of developing and getting the most out of players so if we draft a guy with the right traits and production I see them doing just fine.

They definitely have. The Azeez pick still burns. Hopefully they atone this year.

Quick question.........................do the Niners need to draft an EDGE now that Kerry Hyder and Jordan Willis have been re-signed and there is the possibility of a Dee Ford resurrection tour? What do you all think?

Originally posted by m_brockalexander:
Quick question.........................do the Niners need to draft an EDGE now that Kerry Hyder and Jordan Willis have been re-signed and there is the possibility of a Dee Ford resurrection tour? What do you all think?

I hope they do. They have set themselves up for if a good edge doesn't get to 61 it won't be the end of the world and they can go BPA. But I do hope they look for an edge that brings a speed rush because Ford is less reliable than Jason Verrett

Originally posted by Hysterikal:
I hope they do. They have set themselves up for if a good edge doesn't get to 61 it won't be the end of the world and they can go BPA. But I do hope they look for an edge that brings a speed rush because Ford is less reliable than Jason Verrett

As I said in another thread, I'm skeptical he'll play another down in the NFL, much less the 49ers. His body is trashed, despite the recent IG post showing how he's doing well and in great shape.

Originally posted by m_brockalexander:
Quick question.........................do the Niners need to draft an EDGE now that Kerry Hyder and Jordan Willis have been re-signed and there is the possibility of a Dee Ford resurrection tour? What do you all think?

They should; need a potential good to elite player opposite Bosa on a rookie deal. Can't go forever with one year deals on over achieving NFL average players. That said, it is a crowded room, and so there is less pressure to go "edge no matter what." If edge is BPA at our selection, or there's a top guy within reach of a small trade up, I'd do it, but need to sell the farm to get a guy, or to reach at the position with our 2nd round pick.

Ebiketie and Mafe have likely worked their way out of reach, especially with the Ojabo injury. For me, that leaves Drake Jackson and maybe Alex Wright.

Originally posted by m_brockalexander:
Quick question.........................do the Niners need to draft an EDGE now that Kerry Hyder and Jordan Willis have been re-signed and there is the possibility of a Dee Ford resurrection tour? What do you all think?

Yes. They need an edge rusher with a high ceiling who is guaranteed to be here for the next 4 years. A guy like Hyder or Willis is not going to stop teams from double and triple teaming Bosa and they are also not going to be players that take full advantage of the attention Bosa is getting and end up with double digits in sacks. Hyder and Willis are depth pieces. So not only do we need to draft an edge rusher but need to use #61.

Originally posted by JTB1974:
Yes. They need an edge rusher with a high ceiling who is guaranteed to be here for the next 4 years. A guy like Hyder or Willis is not going to stop teams from double and triple teaming Bosa and they are also not going to be players that take full advantage of the attention Bosa is getting and end up with double digits in sacks. Hyder and Willis are depth pieces. So not only do we need to draft an edge rusher but need to use #61.

With Omenihu, Hyder, Willis & Ebukam that pushes DE back to day 3 IMO. Unless someone drops into our lap.

S, OL, CB are top needs IMO. If grades are relatively the same these are the directions I would go on day two. Though I wouldn't be opposed to loading up on offense if they decided to go 2 of WR, RB, TE on day 2.

Originally posted by krizay:
With Omenihu, Hyder, Willis & Ebukam that pushes DE back to day 3 IMO. Unless someone drops into our lap.

S, OL, CB are top needs IMO. If grades are relatively the same these are the directions I would go on day two. Though I wouldn't be opposed to loading up on offense if they decided to go 2 of WR, RB, TE on day 2.

Yeah I think it will be BPA. I feel like I read somewhere that drafting an edge after the 2nd statically hasn't equaled much success in finding a stud. I was hoping SF would have upgraded the interior via FA but that clearly hasn't happened. Wouldn't mind some OL help for Lance.

Originally posted by m_brockalexander:
Quick question.........................do the Niners need to draft an EDGE now that Kerry Hyder and Jordan Willis have been re-signed and there is the possibility of a Dee Ford resurrection tour? What do you all think?

Yes. Those guys aren't starters. Fine for depth/rotation. Both guys are also FAs and not really becoming superstars at this point in their career.

SF needs that guy across from Bosa and god forbid if he get's hurt.

Also who's Dee Ford? Dude needs to retire, he's not magically gonna be healed either...if his back was getting better it would have by now. He's been collecting checks is 2018.

Originally posted by Hysterikal:
I hope they do. They have set themselves up for if a good edge doesn't get to 61 it won't be the end of the world and they can go BPA. But I do hope they look for an edge that brings a speed rush because Ford is less reliable than Jason Verrett

I feel like Drake Jackson might fall to the bottom of the 2nd. Nik Bonitto is starting to grow on me...I'm glad he's up to almost 250lbs Myjai Sanders just seems so light in the pants but does have an explosive first step.