2025 Draft Prospect Watch List and Discussion

Originally posted by Hysterikal:

Originally posted by NYniner85:

Originally posted by jersey49er:
Idk I think the kid from Minnesota could be going to go high and might be the best, but the cool thing is we might have our choice of the crop at 11 but when it's said and done, Campbell and Banks will go in the top 11 absolutely.

As of right now I just don't see an OT worth drafting in the top 11. Like I don't think they're blue chip 1st re grade guys. I think Campbell is the best of the bunch but he's probably an IOL end of the day. Banks from what I've seen is pretty bad as a run blocker

Better get real used to the idea of Conerly at 11 bro

I have to watch more of Conerly, a lot like him.

Originally posted by jersey49er:

Originally posted by Hysterikal:

Originally posted by NYniner85:

Originally posted by jersey49er:
Idk I think the kid from Minnesota could be going to go high and might be the best, but the cool thing is we might have our choice of the crop at 11 but when it's said and done, Campbell and Banks will go in the top 11 absolutely.

As of right now I just don't see an OT worth drafting in the top 11. Like I don't think they're blue chip 1st re grade guys. I think Campbell is the best of the bunch but he's probably an IOL end of the day. Banks from what I've seen is pretty bad as a run blocker

Better get real used to the idea of Conerly at 11 bro

I have to watch more of Conerly, a lot like him.

FWIW thorn has a 3rd rd grade on him. Lack of power and the run blocking isn't ideal. I haven't watched a ton of him.

Originally posted by NYniner85:

Originally posted by jersey49er:

Originally posted by Hysterikal:

Originally posted by NYniner85:

Originally posted by jersey49er:
Idk I think the kid from Minnesota could be going to go high and might be the best, but the cool thing is we might have our choice of the crop at 11 but when it's said and done, Campbell and Banks will go in the top 11 absolutely.

As of right now I just don't see an OT worth drafting in the top 11. Like I don't think they're blue chip 1st re grade guys. I think Campbell is the best of the bunch but he's probably an IOL end of the day. Banks from what I've seen is pretty bad as a run blocker

Better get real used to the idea of Conerly at 11 bro

I have to watch more of Conerly, a lot like him.

FWIW thorn has a 3rd rd grade on him. Lack of power and the run blocking isn't ideal. I haven't watched a ton of him.

Our FO does not care where players are ranked

Originally posted by NYniner85:
FWIW thorn has a 3rd rd grade on him. Lack of power and the run blocking isn't ideal. I haven't watched a ton of him.

He needs to make up his damn mind. Is he a 3rd rounder or in contention for OT1 in the draft? Can't be both.

Originally posted by Phoenix49ers:

Originally posted by NYniner85:
FWIW thorn has a 3rd rd grade on him. Lack of power and the run blocking isn't ideal. I haven't watched a ton of him.

He needs to make up his damn mind. Is he a 3rd rounder or in contention for OT1 in the draft? Can't be both.

Said this last month but I think based on Conerly's jump over the second half of this season, age + physical tools he should be in contention for OT1 in this class

My scouting report: https://t.co/yQQA1QR4kg https://t.co/3QyfMyEv72

— Brandon Thorn (@BrandonThornNFL) January 8, 2025

Ha. The thorn BR write I saw was 2nd rounder, a potential impact player and Charles cross comp
nvm I see he included that same profile in the tweet, he's def not a 2nd or 3rd guy

Originally posted by genus49:

Originally posted by pillageDatazz:
God forbid they get a DT under 315, Niners got one too many of those not doing a lot of s**t. A TE at 11 is absurd when they have bigger holes. The OT they really should get will be gone and Centers in this draft aren't worth a 1st rd I hope they help themselves out big time in FA so maybe they can just go BPA

Arik Armstead has been one of our best run stopping DLmen in years. He was 6'7 292 lbs at the combine. Odds are he never cracked the 315 mark and even if he did with his height it's clear his weight wasn't what led to his success at stopping the run.

Sure it would be nice to get that big fatty who can command double teams but don't get hung up on the weight too much. DJ Jones was just a hair over 315 lbs.

I do really like Kenneth Grant and Deone Walker, two guys who are definitely big but both also provide some real potential to impact the passing game too either with collapsing/pushing the pocket but also some pass rush moves since they move well for their size.

But there are also some quality DTs under 315 lbs in this class who I'd love to have here as well.

True. One big/strong fatty who requires a lot of double team by opposing olines would be nice for a change

I don't know if Elliot and/or Collins are sticking around, it would be wise to keep at least one. Anderson looks like he can improve, he has size and can get stronger. Maybe they sign a legit DT in FA, They need to draft a couple more. I don't know about the new K Davis, but Kalia D and Givens can go...

Originally posted by NYniner85:

Originally posted by jersey49er:

Originally posted by Hysterikal:

Originally posted by NYniner85:

Originally posted by jersey49er:
Idk I think the kid from Minnesota could be going to go high and might be the best, but the cool thing is we might have our choice of the crop at 11 but when it's said and done, Campbell and Banks will go in the top 11 absolutely.

As of right now I just don't see an OT worth drafting in the top 11. Like I don't think they're blue chip 1st re grade guys. I think Campbell is the best of the bunch but he's probably an IOL end of the day. Banks from what I've seen is pretty bad as a run blocker

Better get real used to the idea of Conerly at 11 bro

I have to watch more of Conerly, a lot like him.

FWIW thorn has a 3rd rd grade on him. Lack of power and the run blocking isn't ideal. I haven't watched a ton of him.

He has him currently graded out tied for the top OT on the class, and 2nd best OL. Compared to last year, his grade would be tied with OT4, Amarius Mims who I believe was drafted 18 overall. Considering last year was extremely strong at tackle, particularly at the top, this isn't bad to be behind Alt, Fashanu and Latham.

Of the tackles in this class, Thorn says connerly is the best zone blocker and overall run blocker. I'm not worried about his play strength. He didn't start OL until sophomore year of highschool, converting from RB, and he just turned 21 in November. He's still growing, and his trajectory from highschool RB, to top OT recruit in the nation, to first round draft pick leaves me no worries about how much more he can grow, or how quickly.

Don't get caught up on his round grades...the entire scouting team is using a grading system with a round grade automatically assigned to a numerical range. There are 5 prospects in this class that they currently have listed as 1st round prospects.

Originally posted by adrianlesnar:
He has him currently graded out tied for the top OT on the class, and 2nd best OL. Compared to last year, his grade would be tied with OT4, Amarius Mims who I believe was drafted 18 overall. Considering last year was extremely strong at tackle, particularly at the top, this isn't bad to be behind Alt, Fashanu and Latham.

Of the tackles in this class, Thorn says connerly is the best zone blocker and overall run blocker. I'm not worried about his play strength. He didn't start OL until sophomore year of highschool, converting from RB, and he just turned 21 in November. He's still growing, and his trajectory from highschool RB, to top OT recruit in the nation, to first round draft pick leaves me no worries about how much more he can grow, or how quickly.

Don't get caught up on his round grades...the entire scouting team is using a grading system with a round grade automatically assigned to a numerical range. There are 5 prospects in this class that they currently have listed as 1st round prospects.

Who are those 5 ?

Originally posted by Oilcan:
Who are those 5 ?

Was actually 6...
Travis Hunter, CB
Mason Graham, DT
Tetairoa McMillan, WR
Malaki Starks, S
Will Johnson, CB
Cam Ward, QB

Originally posted by NYniner85:

Originally posted by jersey49er:

Originally posted by Hysterikal:

Originally posted by NYniner85:

Originally posted by jersey49er:
Idk I think the kid from Minnesota could be going to go high and might be the best, but the cool thing is we might have our choice of the crop at 11 but when it's said and done, Campbell and Banks will go in the top 11 absolutely.

As of right now I just don't see an OT worth drafting in the top 11. Like I don't think they're blue chip 1st re grade guys. I think Campbell is the best of the bunch but he's probably an IOL end of the day. Banks from what I've seen is pretty bad as a run blocker

Better get real used to the idea of Conerly at 11 bro

I have to watch more of Conerly, a lot like him.

FWIW thorn has a 3rd rd grade on him. Lack of power and the run blocking isn't ideal. I haven't watched a ton of him.

2nd round or 3rd. It doesn't make a lot of difference. I don't see him as a 1st and certainly not a top 15 pick.

Originally posted by adrianlesnar:

Originally posted by NYniner85:

Originally posted by jersey49er:

Originally posted by Hysterikal:

Originally posted by NYniner85:

Originally posted by jersey49er:
Idk I think the kid from Minnesota could be going to go high and might be the best, but the cool thing is we might have our choice of the crop at 11 but when it's said and done, Campbell and Banks will go in the top 11 absolutely.

As of right now I just don't see an OT worth drafting in the top 11. Like I don't think they're blue chip 1st re grade guys. I think Campbell is the best of the bunch but he's probably an IOL end of the day. Banks from what I've seen is pretty bad as a run blocker

Better get real used to the idea of Conerly at 11 bro

I have to watch more of Conerly, a lot like him.

FWIW thorn has a 3rd rd grade on him. Lack of power and the run blocking isn't ideal. I haven't watched a ton of him.

He has him currently graded out tied for the top OT on the class, and 2nd best OL. Compared to last year, his grade would be tied with OT4, Amarius Mims who I believe was drafted 18 overall. Considering last year was extremely strong at tackle, particularly at the top, this isn't bad to be behind Alt, Fashanu and Latham.

Of the tackles in this class, Thorn says connerly is the best zone blocker and overall run blocker. I'm not worried about his play strength. He didn't start OL until sophomore year of highschool, converting from RB, and he just turned 21 in November. He's still growing, and his trajectory from highschool RB, to top OT recruit in the nation, to first round draft pick leaves me no worries about how much more he can grow, or how quickly.

Don't get caught up on his round grades...the entire scouting team is using a grading system with a round grade automatically assigned to a numerical range. There are 5 prospects in this class that they currently have listed as 1st round prospects.

I hope the 49ers don't have the same thought process. For a few years now it seems like they've had their own evaluation of players which is fine if you're hitting on those picks but can anyone say our so called reach picks have done that?

Last year hard to say we reached for anyone. I know some thought Pearsall was a reach but hearing that the Chiefs were talking about taking him at 32 and seeing a bunch of WRs go off the board shortly after makes that seem less so.

Now Latu, TDP, Banks, Sermon, Hurd. All were considered reaches at the time. Hurd is a tough one because his issue was injury and he certainly looked like a good pick early on before the back injury.

The major reach picks - Latu, TDP and Sermon couldn't even make it through their rookie deals here. TDP stayed on the team the longest and that was a whopping 2 years before he was released.

We absolutely cannot reach at 11. It's one thing to have your own scheme based preferences and grade accordingly but when you have a pick that high you cannot think you're smarter than everyone else.

It doesn't mean you have to take who the draft guru's claim but that early in the draft there should be some consensus. I don't recall too many times when guys taken that early that were considered major reaches turned out to be great picks.

Only one I can think of was maybe Kolton Miller but even then the Raiders realized they can get him later and traded down after we took McGlinchey ahead of them.

Of course as far as who is a reach now is still too early to tell. We've seen guys climb boards and fall for various reasons in the few months ahead of the draft.

Senior Bowl and combine help add a lot of context and boards shake up with those performances whether good or bad.

I just know when it's time for the real deal I hope the 49ers don't dismiss how other people may have players graded. True that end of the day if you draft players who are good on your team it doesn't matter where they were graded BUT if you can get that player after moving down and picking up extra picks to try and draft another good player - you do that.

I'm not feeling the tackle from Oregon at 11 at all. There will be better d line help on the board

A lot of the players many of you have identified late are already shooting up into the top 3-4 rounds in more recent mocks. We will need to find these small school gems!

Originally posted by genus49:

Originally posted by adrianlesnar:

Originally posted by NYniner85:

Originally posted by jersey49er:

Originally posted by Hysterikal:

Originally posted by NYniner85:

Originally posted by jersey49er:
Idk I think the kid from Minnesota could be going to go high and might be the best, but the cool thing is we might have our choice of the crop at 11 but when it's said and done, Campbell and Banks will go in the top 11 absolutely.

As of right now I just don't see an OT worth drafting in the top 11. Like I don't think they're blue chip 1st re grade guys. I think Campbell is the best of the bunch but he's probably an IOL end of the day. Banks from what I've seen is pretty bad as a run blocker

Better get real used to the idea of Conerly at 11 bro

I have to watch more of Conerly, a lot like him.

FWIW thorn has a 3rd rd grade on him. Lack of power and the run blocking isn't ideal. I haven't watched a ton of him.

He has him currently graded out tied for the top OT on the class, and 2nd best OL. Compared to last year, his grade would be tied with OT4, Amarius Mims who I believe was drafted 18 overall. Considering last year was extremely strong at tackle, particularly at the top, this isn't bad to be behind Alt, Fashanu and Latham.

Of the tackles in this class, Thorn says connerly is the best zone blocker and overall run blocker. I'm not worried about his play strength. He didn't start OL until sophomore year of highschool, converting from RB, and he just turned 21 in November. He's still growing, and his trajectory from highschool RB, to top OT recruit in the nation, to first round draft pick leaves me no worries about how much more he can grow, or how quickly.

Don't get caught up on his round grades...the entire scouting team is using a grading system with a round grade automatically assigned to a numerical range. There are 5 prospects in this class that they currently have listed as 1st round prospects.

I hope the 49ers don't have the same thought process. For a few years now it seems like they've had their own evaluation of players which is fine if you're hitting on those picks but can anyone say our so called reach picks have done that?

Last year hard to say we reached for anyone. I know some thought Pearsall was a reach but hearing that the Chiefs were talking about taking him at 32 and seeing a bunch of WRs go off the board shortly after makes that seem less so.

Now Latu, TDP, Banks, Sermon, Hurd. All were considered reaches at the time. Hurd is a tough one because his issue was injury and he certainly looked like a good pick early on before the back injury.

The major reach picks - Latu, TDP and Sermon couldn't even make it through their rookie deals here. TDP stayed on the team the longest and that was a whopping 2 years before he was released.

We absolutely cannot reach at 11. It's one thing to have your own scheme based preferences and grade accordingly but when you have a pick that high you cannot think you're smarter than everyone else.

It doesn't mean you have to take who the draft guru's claim but that early in the draft there should be some consensus. I don't recall too many times when guys taken that early that were considered major reaches turned out to be great picks.

Only one I can think of was maybe Kolton Miller but even then the Raiders realized they can get him later and traded down after we took McGlinchey ahead of them.

Of course as far as who is a reach now is still too early to tell. We've seen guys climb boards and fall for various reasons in the few months ahead of the draft.

Senior Bowl and combine help add a lot of context and boards shake up with those performances whether good or bad.

I just know when it's time for the real deal I hope the 49ers don't dismiss how other people may have players graded. True that end of the day if you draft players who are good on your team it doesn't matter where they were graded BUT if you can get that player after moving down and picking up extra picks to try and draft another good player - you do that.

I think you misunderstood my point. They use a point system, where the score is defined by a round grade. That doesn't mean that they think Connerly should go in the third round, or that Abdul Carter should go in the early 2nd. He has him ranked tied for his top OT in the class. How is that a reach?

As for Pearsall, you kind of just discredited your own post. It seemed like a reach until the NFL told us it wasnt. just goes to show, we should stop basing "draft value" off of what mock drafts are telling us.

It's funny, we get mock drafts before the season even starts, and we get enamored with names. Not even really players cus the majority don't even watch college ball, just names listed on a mock draft, before the season starts, by people with opinions that are nothing more than just that. Then, when the data is more complete, more film has been watched and the actual accurate evaluators (Lance, Dane, thorn etc) start naming new names, it's "oh no way what a reach!" We end up prioritizing familiarity more than anything else, and those same mock drafters who we were following months ago will begin to just copy the work of Dane, thorn, and Lance anyway, and before you know it, names like Membou and Connerly ARE consensus.

Without a doubt, connerly, membou, Simmons are 1st round talents.

Originally posted by genus49:
I hope the 49ers don't have the same thought process. For a few years now it seems like they've had their own evaluation of players which is fine if you're hitting on those picks but can anyone say our so called reach picks have done that?

Last year hard to say we reached for anyone. I know some thought Pearsall was a reach but hearing that the Chiefs were talking about taking him at 32 and seeing a bunch of WRs go off the board shortly after makes that seem less so.

Now Latu, TDP, Banks, Sermon, Hurd. All were considered reaches at the time. Hurd is a tough one because his issue was injury and he certainly looked like a good pick early on before the back injury.

The major reach picks - Latu, TDP and Sermon couldn't even make it through their rookie deals here. TDP stayed on the team the longest and that was a whopping 2 years before he was released.

We absolutely cannot reach at 11. It's one thing to have your own scheme based preferences and grade accordingly but when you have a pick that high you cannot think you're smarter than everyone else.

It doesn't mean you have to take who the draft guru's claim but that early in the draft there should be some consensus. I don't recall too many times when guys taken that early that were considered major reaches turned out to be great picks.

Only one I can think of was maybe Kolton Miller but even then the Raiders realized they can get him later and traded down after we took McGlinchey ahead of them.

Of course as far as who is a reach now is still too early to tell. We've seen guys climb boards and fall for various reasons in the few months ahead of the draft.

Senior Bowl and combine help add a lot of context and boards shake up with those performances whether good or bad.

I just know when it's time for the real deal I hope the 49ers don't dismiss how other people may have players graded. True that end of the day if you draft players who are good on your team it doesn't matter where they were graded BUT if you can get that player after moving down and picking up extra picks to try and draft another good player - you do that.

The process every year is the draftnik community says Prospect A is a second rounder. Right before the draft they move Prospect A to the mid 1st round. It's not so much that Prospect A "climbed the boards" but the mock draft adjusted their rankings to try and match where the NFL actually values them.

If you go back through mock drafts from December over a period of a few years and compare them to the actual first 10-15 picks, you get some really zany results.