2023 Draft Prospect Watch List and Discussion

Originally posted by dj43:

Originally posted by ltrain:
Is mad dog still active here? I always looked forward to his takes.

His last post was in April of 2022.

Maybe waiting for the draft again like last year

Originally posted by adrianlesnar:
Okay, so for edge rushers I've got it

1. Will Anderson
2. BJ Ojulari
3. Felix Anudike-Uzomah
4. Myles Murphy
5. Will McDonald IV

Dark horse: Nolan Smith

Cool to see (draft crush #2) FA-U go first round. I'd assume Ojulari comes off early tomorrow.

Imo, only player left on the board worth a significant trade up (I'm talking 101 + 102 + 2024 3rd all the way up to 99 + 101 + 102 + 2023 5 + 2024 3) is Dawand Jones. Then trade two 5ths to get into the 4th if McGuire drops. Prob a CB in 6, safety and TE depth in 7. I know everyone wants a tight end, but it's just not a premium position, and a waste of resources when you see the Eagles and Seattle getting significantly better at more premier positions. Id rather aim for premier talent in the trenches.

Surprised Dawand dropped. I'd assume teams are worried about his ability to stay in shape.

Anyway, my day 3 mock, trying to predict realistic landing spots:

5 Kahlef Hailassie, CB
5 Cameron Young, DT
6 Ivan Pace Jr, LB/ST
7 Graham Barton, OL
7 Desjuan Johnson, DL
UDFA: Justin Ford, DB
UDFA: Derrick Parrish, FB/ST
UDFA: Griffin Herbert, FB
UDFA: Joseph Ngata, WR
FA: Hakeem Butler, WR

Originally posted by Hysterikal:

Originally posted by 49ers808:

Originally posted by DaleGribble:

Originally posted by NYniner85:

Originally posted by Hysterikal:

Originally posted by NYniner85:

The #49ers are hosting Penn State S Ji'Ayir Brown on a top-30 visit, per his IG

(h/t @Steph49K) pic.twitter.com/X3J1DP2PT1

— 𝙏𝙝𝙚𝙎𝙁𝙉𝙞𝙣𝙚𝙧𝙨 (@TheSFNiners) April 18, 2023

In the 5th rd sure. Not my favorite safety good value though.

We all know what happens if they take him in the 5th.

Yeah, people continually say that he basically went in the 6th round as some sort of stupid shot at him and he is too slow and unathletic to play safety

No one said anything about Browns athleticism. And we've had our crow.

and....here we go!

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.

Very old stuff but it looks like you got the TE and the Kicker you didn't want.

Any other calls?

Originally posted by 9moon:

Originally posted by scooterhd:

Originally posted by 49erKing:
Robert Beal Jr. anyone?

Pretty polarizing player. Fits a 3-4 better as on outside rush linebacker, but could be a designated pass rusher in a 4-3. Will be 24 when the season starts and still doesnt have much game experience. Athletically you see the 40, the wingspan, the broadjump all through the roof, but then his bench is in the 4th percentile for linebackers. Hes going to get manhandled by NFL O lineman. His vert, shuttle, 3 cone are all poor. Looks like a straight line speed guy without power. On tape he doesnt really have a go to move. If he was a special teams beast, then youd feel more confident with a 4th round grade, guaranteed to make the roster that way and then we can work on moves and strength, but as is he's more 6/7th round to me.

Agree w/that 6th to 7th round spot.. if we take him, it's for the special team and hope that he can develop into a 3rd down rusher..

Well we got him!

Originally posted by random49er:

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.

Very old stuff but it looks like you got the TE and the Kicker you didn't want.

Any other calls?

I can't tell if you're attempting to dunk on me or not with a post I made in June of 2022, a full year away before the season, for mocking a player a full round after we ended up drafting him (this was before CMC trade)

Edit: I may have misinterpreted your post, now that I see you going through the forum seeing who made correct predictions.

Told y'all Andre Carter would go undrafted

Originally posted by NCommand:
--- Final Pre Draft Player Connections Update ---

POS - Volume Count | TDN Top 180 Count | 30 Visits Count
ER - 25 | 11 | 4
WR - 38 | 11 | 3
S - 33 | 10 | 2
T - 15 | 8 | 2
CB - 26 | 7 | 4
TE - 19 | 6 | 5
RB - 20 | 5 | 2
LB - 21 | 4 | 1
QB - 11 | 3 | 1
DT - 19 | 2 | 2
IOL - 12 | 2 | 1
PK - 5 | 0 | 0
P - 1 | 0 | 0

It's safe to say, ER, WR, S, T, CB & TE will be top targets with our first 6 picks.

WR, TE, RB and CB seem deeper in this class, so my guess is ER, T and S will probably be the earlier targets at 99, 101 and 102.

Just to recap. Of the 9 draft picks, only Robert Beal Jr. was not on our original player-connections list.

Does anyone know if there were connections to him also but we didn't get that information until after the draft (that's common BTW)?

Either way, that's 89%. 4 of the picks were also from the 30-visit bucket as well.

As to the highest volume (and quality) of player connections, swap out PK for T and they grabbed all of their top priorities (ER, WR, S, TE & CB) on the list as shown above.

In addition, for the 12 UDFA's, they were also connected to the following players:
Joey Fisher
Ilm Manning
Ronald Awatt
Khalan Laborn
Spencer Waege

In short, for next year, why look anywhere else? It gave tremendous insight into who the FO would end up taking. It was a great ride and thanks to NY for passing along, @Steph49K, who did most of the heavy lifting!

Originally posted by NCommand:
Just to recap. Of the 9 draft picks, only Robert Beal Jr. & Dee Winters were not on our original player-connections list. Does anyone know if there were connections to these two also but we didn't get that information until after the draft (that's common BTW)?

Either way, that's 78%. 4 of the picks were also from the 30-visit bucket as well.

As to the highest volume (and quality) of player connections, swap out PK for T and they grabbed all of their top priorities (ER, WR, S, TE & CB) on the list as shown above.

In addition, for the 12 UDFA's, they were also connected to the following players:
Joey Fisher
Ilm Manning
Ronald Awatt
Khalan Laborn
Spencer Waege

In short, for next year, why look anywhere else? It gave tremendous insight into who the FO would end up taking. It was a great ride and thanks to NY for passing along, @Steph49K, who did most of the heavy lifting!

I believe I read where Dee Winters was in contact with us somewhere along the lines.

Familiar with the 49ers and linebackers coach Johnny Holland

The 49ers and Winters got to know each other well during the pre-draft process. Winters made a connection with 49ers linebackers coach Johnny Holland, who hails from the same area of Texas as Winters.

"He's actually from Hempstead, Texas, which is about 20 minutes where I'm from -- Brennan, Texas," Winters told reporters Saturday. "So kind of got a conversation started there to open up and have a little ice backer there. But I think Coach Holland is a great guy. He's definitely going to be himself, and I think he just is a great coach, and he's going to put you in the best position to make plays, and that's what you want as a player."

Winters met Holland at the Senior Bowl and remained in contact in the weeks following the game.

"My first time talking to him was at the Senior Bowl when we did the little 32 visits at each podium, and after that, it kind of transitioned to right before the combine, and it just stayed consistent," Winters said. "I think that was one of the biggest things that I felt during that process. And I'm definitely glad that I'm in San Francisco right now and definitely excited to get to work."

Originally posted by krizay:

Originally posted by NCommand:
Just to recap. Of the 9 draft picks, only Robert Beal Jr. & Dee Winters were not on our original player-connections list. Does anyone know if there were connections to these two also but we didn't get that information until after the draft (that's common BTW)?

Either way, that's 78%. 4 of the picks were also from the 30-visit bucket as well.

As to the highest volume (and quality) of player connections, swap out PK for T and they grabbed all of their top priorities (ER, WR, S, TE & CB) on the list as shown above.

In addition, for the 12 UDFA's, they were also connected to the following players:
Joey Fisher
Ilm Manning
Ronald Awatt
Khalan Laborn
Spencer Waege

In short, for next year, why look anywhere else? It gave tremendous insight into who the FO would end up taking. It was a great ride and thanks to NY for passing along, @Steph49K, who did most of the heavy lifting!

I believe I read where Dee Winters was in contact with us somewhere along the lines.

Familiar with the 49ers and linebackers coach Johnny Holland

The 49ers and Winters got to know each other well during the pre-draft process. Winters made a connection with 49ers linebackers coach Johnny Holland, who hails from the same area of Texas as Winters.

"He's actually from Hempstead, Texas, which is about 20 minutes where I'm from -- Brennan, Texas," Winters told reporters Saturday. "So kind of got a conversation started there to open up and have a little ice backer there. But I think Coach Holland is a great guy. He's definitely going to be himself, and I think he just is a great coach, and he's going to put you in the best position to make plays, and that's what you want as a player."

Winters met Holland at the Senior Bowl and remained in contact in the weeks following the game.

"My first time talking to him was at the Senior Bowl when we did the little 32 visits at each podium, and after that, it kind of transitioned to right before the combine, and it just stayed consistent," Winters said. "I think that was one of the biggest things that I felt during that process. And I'm definitely glad that I'm in San Francisco right now and definitely excited to get to work."

There it is! TY! I wouldn't be surprised Beal was in contact as well. 100%.

Originally posted by NCommand:
There it is! TY! I wouldn't be surprised Beal was in contact as well. 100%.

All I found was Lynch talking to Kirby about Beal

https://www.nbcsports.com/bayarea/49ers/how-49ers-robert-beal-jr-draft-pick-was-influenced-georgia-coach

Originally posted by krizay:

Originally posted by NCommand:
There it is! TY! I wouldn't be surprised Beal was in contact as well. 100%.

All I found was Lynch talking to Kirby about Beal

https://www.nbcsports.com/bayarea/49ers/how-49ers-robert-beal-jr-draft-pick-was-influenced-georgia-coach

Gotcha. Appreciate you!

Originally posted by NCommand:
Just to recap. Of the 9 draft picks, only Robert Beal Jr. was not on our original player-connections list.

Does anyone know if there were connections to him also but we didn't get that information until after the draft (that's common BTW)?

Either way, that's 89%. 4 of the picks were also from the 30-visit bucket as well.

As to the highest volume (and quality) of player connections, swap out PK for T and they grabbed all of their top priorities (ER, WR, S, TE & CB) on the list as shown above.

In addition, for the 12 UDFA's, they were also connected to the following players:
Joey Fisher
Ilm Manning
Ronald Awatt
Khalan Laborn
Spencer Waege

In short, for next year, why look anywhere else? It gave tremendous insight into who the FO would end up taking. It was a great ride and thanks to NY for passing along, @Steph49K, who did most of the heavy lifting!

Steph is awesome, I've been on her podcast twice now, she's amazing at what she does, she's getting the pub she deserves, she tracks all this stuff, her & Wayne Breezie are two I enjoy, plus John Chapman.