2023 Draft Prospect Watch List and Discussion

With NBA officially over, let's discuss all things related to 2023 draft eligible CFB prospects

I have a decent watch list, but this is where my current mock draft would stand considering our current understanding of team needs and best guess at prospect value. Also assuming we get a 2nd rounder for Jimmy, even if we end up needing to pay half the salary.

2 Devon Achane, RB
2 Sedrick Van Pran, OC / John Michael-Schmitz, OC
3+3 Jalen Catalon, S
3 Blake Freeland, OT
4 Cameron Latu, TE
5 Dominick Blaylock, WR
5 (COMP) Adisa Isaac, ER
6 (COMP) Austin McNamara, P
7 Derrick Canteen, NCB
7 (COMP) Riley Moss, S

Devon Achane is a true speedster; track times be damned, he doesn't look QUITE as fast as Mostert via the eye test, but still faster than 99% of the NFL. Interested to see if he develops at all as a pass catching back this year, though opportunity will like be limited with Ainias Smith also on the roster.

Jalen Catalon is such a stud. Ball magnet, but also happy to play closer to the line and mix it up. That said, need to see how his shoulder injury possibly changes how he approaches the game.

Kenderick Duncan S Louisville
Height: 6-3 | Weight: 205
-SS/LB candidate

Tiawan Mullen CB Indiana
Height: 5-10 | Weight: 181
-watched some of him last year, seems like a good mid round CB that would fit the Niners

Chaz Ah You LB BYU
Height: 6-2 | Weight: 205
-great name

Bumper Pool LB Arkansas
Height: 6-2 | Weight: 230
-another LBer with a great name

T.J. Bass OT Oregon
Height: 6-5 | Weight: 317
-because I live in Oregon and I like fish, actually because 89% run blocking / 74% pass blocking grades but short arms

Travis Dye RB USC
Height: 5-10 | Weight: 190
-really liked what I saw of him while at Oregon

Tykee Smith S Georgia
Height: 5-10 | Weight: 198
-really want to see what he does on the Georgia squad

Christopher Smith S Georgia
Height: 5-11 | Weight: 190

Jordan Battle S Alabama
Height: 6-1 | Weight: 205
-

Antonio Johnson CB, Texas A&M
Height: 6-3 | Weight: 200

Rashad Torrence II S Florida
Height: 6-0 | Weight: 205

Nehemiah Pritchett CB Auburn
Height: 6-1 | Weight: 180

Joey Porter Jr CB Penn State
Height: 6-2 | Weight: 196

Parker Washington WR Penn State
Height: 5-10 | Weight: 207

Jayden Reed WR Michigan State
Height: 6-0 | Weight: 185

Austin Stogner TE South Carolina
Height: 6-6 | Weight: 256

Olusegun Oluwatimi OC Michigan
Height: 6-3 | Weight: 311

Gervon Dexter DT Florida
Height: 6-6 | Weight: 313

Blake Corum RB Michigan
Height: 5-8 | Weight: 201

Zion Nelson OT Miami (FL)
Height: 6-5 | Weight: 315

Elijah Higgins WR Stanford
Height: 6-3 | Weight: 235
*Hit 21.5 mph last year

Jaelyn Duncan OT Maryland
Height: 6-6 | Weight: 320

Matthew Bergeron OT Syracuse
Height: 6-5 | Weight: 327

Darnell Wright OT Tennessee
Height: 6-6 | Weight: 335

Zack Kuntz TE Old Dominion
Height: 6-8 | Weight: 245

Sean Tucker RB Syracuse
Height: 5-10 | Weight: 210

Mekhi Garner CB LSU
Height: 6-2 | Weight: 215

Mazi Smith DT Michigan
Height: 6-3 | Weight: 326

John Michael Schmitz OC Minnesota
Height: 6-4 | Weight: 320

Siaki Ika DT Baylor
Height: 6-4 | Weight: 351

Dontayvion Wicks WR Virginia
Height: 6-1 | Weight: 205

Jammie Robinson S Florida State
Height: 5-11 | Weight: 203

R.J. Moten S Michigan
Height: 6-0 | Weight: 221

Cory Trice CB Purdue
Height: 6-3 | Weight: 215

Bryce Ford-Wheaton WR West Virginia
Height: 6-3 | Weight: 220

Antwane Wells Jr. WR South Carolina
Height: 6-1 | Weight: 207

Johnny Wilson WR Florida State
Height: 6-7 | Weight: 235

I really like Taiwan mullen

Catalon was looking nice before the injury last year

Are any of these a real possibility? Who would u trade to move up and get a good rookie or 2

Originally posted by Drod1008:
Are any of these a real possibility? Who would u trade to move up and get a good rookie or 2

We have three 3rd rounders next year. Could package those to move up if there's someone we like. I want Achane, Van Pran, Catalon and Latu in a baddddd way

Iowa's Jack Campbell. Gamer. This year's LB crush for me; hoping we don't let greenlaw or Azeez walk, but if we do, Campbell is a major draft target for me.

Originally posted by adrianlesnar:
I have a decent watch list, but this is where my current mock draft would stand considering our current understanding of team needs and best guess at prospect value. Also assuming we get a 2nd rounder for Jimmy, even if we end up needing to pay half the salary.

2 Devon Achane, RB
2 Sedrick Van Pran, OC / John Michael-Schmitz, OC
3+3 Jalen Catalon, S
3 Blake Freeland, OT
4 Cameron Latu, TE
5 Dominick Blaylock, WR
5 (COMP) Adisa Isaac, ER
6 (COMP) Austin McNamara, P
7 Derrick Canteen, NCB
7 (COMP) Riley Moss, S

Devon Achane is a true speedster; track times be damned, he doesn't look QUITE as fast as Mostert via the eye test, but still faster than 99% of the NFL. Interested to see if he develops at all as a pass catching back this year, though opportunity will like be limited with Ainias Smith also on the roster.

Jalen Catalon is such a stud. Ball magnet, but also happy to play closer to the line and mix it up. That said, need to see how his shoulder injury possibly changes how he approaches the game.

ehh, if the 49ers draft a RB in rd 2 the WZ will go nuts, we need to go IOL/OL, or DB there, not another damn back IMO

Originally posted by AB81Rules:

Originally posted by adrianlesnar:
I have a decent watch list, but this is where my current mock draft would stand considering our current understanding of team needs and best guess at prospect value. Also assuming we get a 2nd rounder for Jimmy, even if we end up needing to pay half the salary.

2 Devon Achane, RB
2 Sedrick Van Pran, OC / John Michael-Schmitz, OC
3+3 Jalen Catalon, S
3 Blake Freeland, OT
4 Cameron Latu, TE
5 Dominick Blaylock, WR
5 (COMP) Adisa Isaac, ER
6 (COMP) Austin McNamara, P
7 Derrick Canteen, NCB
7 (COMP) Riley Moss, S

Devon Achane is a true speedster; track times be damned, he doesn't look QUITE as fast as Mostert via the eye test, but still faster than 99% of the NFL. Interested to see if he develops at all as a pass catching back this year, though opportunity will like be limited with Ainias Smith also on the roster.

Jalen Catalon is such a stud. Ball magnet, but also happy to play closer to the line and mix it up. That said, need to see how his shoulder injury possibly changes how he approaches the game.

ehh, if the 49ers draft a RB in rd 2 the WZ will go nuts, we need to go IOL/OL, or DB there, not another damn back IMO

I have since changed my mock draft to add a day 2 outside CB given Ambry's struggles in camp. I still have us drafting Achane tho

Just saying I see a lot of healthy OBJ in USC transfer Jordan Addison, future star IMO

Originally posted by jersey49er:
Just saying I see a lot of healthy OBJ in USC transfer Jordan Addison, future star IMO

Special player. Like #2 overall fantasy dynasty rookie draft pick special.

Originally posted by AB81Rules:

Originally posted by adrianlesnar:
I have a decent watch list, but this is where my current mock draft would stand considering our current understanding of team needs and best guess at prospect value. Also assuming we get a 2nd rounder for Jimmy, even if we end up needing to pay half the salary.

2 Devon Achane, RB
2 Sedrick Van Pran, OC / John Michael-Schmitz, OC
3+3 Jalen Catalon, S
3 Blake Freeland, OT
4 Cameron Latu, TE
5 Dominick Blaylock, WR
5 (COMP) Adisa Isaac, ER
6 (COMP) Austin McNamara, P
7 Derrick Canteen, NCB
7 (COMP) Riley Moss, S

Devon Achane is a true speedster; track times be damned, he doesn't look QUITE as fast as Mostert via the eye test, but still faster than 99% of the NFL. Interested to see if he develops at all as a pass catching back this year, though opportunity will like be limited with Ainias Smith also on the roster.

Jalen Catalon is such a stud. Ball magnet, but also happy to play closer to the line and mix it up. That said, need to see how his shoulder injury possibly changes how he approaches the game.

ehh, if the 49ers draft a RB in rd 2 the WZ will go nuts, we need to go IOL/OL, or DB there, not another damn back IMO

Im not a fan, but I'd take a speed back that can stay healthy. Bad use of capital though. I hope O-line, FS, TE, and CB are the top priorities. But this mock draft does hit pretty well.

Gonna rewatch later, but anyone have a chance to watch Penn vs Auburn live to see how future 49er Olu Fashanu fared vs Derick Hall?

Also, for s**ts and giggles:

FA: Tony Pollard, Javon Hargrave
Trade Jimmy for 2+Kadarius Toney
2 Sedrick Van Pran, OC
2 Olu Fashanu, OT
3 Devon Achane, RB
3 Jack Campbell, LB
3 DJ Turner, CB
4 Cameron Latu, TE
5 Jalen Catalon, S (injured)
5 (COMP) Riley Moss, S
6 Noah Gindorff, TE
6 (COMP) Harrison Mevis, PK
7 Derrick Canteen, NCB
7 (COMP) Adisa Isaac, ER (P.Squad)

Originally posted by adrianlesnar:
Gonna rewatch later, but anyone have a chance to watch Penn vs Auburn live to see how future 49er Olu Fashanu fared vs Derick Hall?

Also, for s**ts and giggles:

FA: Tony Pollard, Javon Hargrave
Trade Jimmy for 2+Kadarius Toney
2 Sedrick Van Pran, OC
2 Olu Fashanu, OT
3 Devon Achane, RB
3 Jack Campbell, LB
3 DJ Turner, CB
4 Cameron Latu, TE
5 Jalen Catalon, S (injured)
5 (COMP) Riley Moss, S
6 Noah Gindorff, TE
6 (COMP) Harrison Mevis, PK
7 Derrick Canteen, NCB
7 (COMP) Adisa Isaac, ER (P.Squad)

This is the guy I'm hoping we take. We can run two TE sets, with both guys blocking on either side, or just Latu as the blocker and sending Kittle out on more routes. I think this pick can allow Kyle to go either way (run or pass) with both in the lineup. Fourth or fifth round seems like a good spot, but he probably would have less pressure if he was drafted in the 4th or even the 3rd lol.

Also, given that we can't keep a back healthy and Devon Archane brings Mostert/Breida like traits, I can't complain. I'll have to see what Mason and TDP look like over the course of the season, but considering we had 6 backs on the initial 53-man roster (Mitchell, Wilson, Sermon TDP, Mason, and Juice), I wouldn't have an issue with us taking Archane if Mason and TDP don't show anything special this year. Mitchell did, but that's all we have. We can run with Mitchell, Mason, TDP, Archane, and Juice for the forseeable future. If we carry 6, then bring back Jeff Wilson.

I like Catalon, but I think the injuries take him off the board for the 49ers.