2025 Draft Class: OL

Will Campbell should absolutely go to the Pats for me, but if they pass I think it's Jets or us. If he gets there I think he's the pick if Graham has gone. I believe he can play LT in the league, but the question mark could cause him to fall to us.

We put him at LG, have him learn behind Trent, and give him the first shot at replacing him. Here's my curve ball though, if he can't stick at LT, I wouldn't put him back at LG (we rarely pay Guards) I'd have him learn to snap and take over at Center. That's a valuable enough position for us and he has experience identifying fronts and calling protections, he could become an elite player there for us which would make him worth the draft spot even though it would have been the back up plan.

Originally posted by 49erBigMac:
Will Campbell should absolutely go to the Pats for me, but if they pass I think it's Jets or us. If he gets there I think he's the pick if Graham has gone. I believe he can play LT in the league, but the question mark could cause him to fall to us.

We put him at LG, have him learn behind Trent, and give him the first shot at replacing him. Here's my curve ball though, if he can't stick at LT, I wouldn't put him back at LG (we rarely pay Guards) I'd have him learn to snap and take over at Center. That's a valuable enough position for us and he has experience identifying fronts and calling protections, he could become an elite player there for us which would make him worth the draft spot even though it would have been the back up plan.

Campbell gives the line versatility for sure. I don't think they will put him at center because they don't seem to like playing young guys there.

I'd keep him at LT and he can battle for the LG spot. At worst his year 1 would be swing tackle.

Niners bringing in Josh Simmons

I'm a fan of having a look at all of those above, the Simmons injury scares me, but he could be the swing Tackle and the heir apparent to Trent.

Originally posted by miked1978:

Originally posted by 49erBigMac:
Will Campbell should absolutely go to the Pats for me, but if they pass I think it's Jets or us. If he gets there I think he's the pick if Graham has gone. I believe he can play LT in the league, but the question mark could cause him to fall to us.

We put him at LG, have him learn behind Trent, and give him the first shot at replacing him. Here's my curve ball though, if he can't stick at LT, I wouldn't put him back at LG (we rarely pay Guards) I'd have him learn to snap and take over at Center. That's a valuable enough position for us and he has experience identifying fronts and calling protections, he could become an elite player there for us which would make him worth the draft spot even though it would have been the back up plan.

Campbell gives the line versatility for sure. I don't think they will put him at center because they don't seem to like playing young guys there.

I'd keep him at LT and he can battle for the LG spot. At worst his year 1 would be swing tackle.

I see that, but he's smart enough, and it wouldn't be as a rookie. I like having the versatility as a backup plan, try him at LT when Trent hangs it up but if it doesn't work, have a crack at Center. If that doesn't work it'll be 4 years at LG and then released, but I'd be very surprised.

I've been avoiding Josh Simmons because I've read all the injury stuff, but out of curiosity, I decided to watch his tape...holy f**k, this dude can scoot. Smooth as hell in his pass sets. Everything looks effortless.

Originally posted by Heroism:
I've been avoiding Josh Simmons because I've read all the injury stuff, but out of curiosity, I decided to watch his tape...holy f**k, this dude can scoot. Smooth as hell in his pass sets. Everything looks effortless.

Oh yeah if he was 100% he's OT1 and probably not there at 11.

Torn patellar tendon is terrifying

Originally posted by Heroism:
I've been avoiding Josh Simmons because I've read all the injury stuff, but out of curiosity, I decided to watch his tape...holy f**k, this dude can scoot. Smooth as hell in his pass sets. Everything looks effortless.

I agree completely, issue is that a Patella injury not only can hamper that athleticism,.they're a future risk to go again with the scary tissue. It sounds like his recovery is going great, but I'm afraid I'd need to let someone else take that risk.

Originally posted by 49erBigMac:

Originally posted by Heroism:
I've been avoiding Josh Simmons because I've read all the injury stuff, but out of curiosity, I decided to watch his tape...holy f**k, this dude can scoot. Smooth as hell in his pass sets. Everything looks effortless.

I agree completely, issue is that a Patella injury not only can hamper that athleticism,.they're a future risk to go again with the scary tissue. It sounds like his recovery is going great, but I'm afraid I'd need to let someone else take that risk.

Would you risk it in the 2nd?

Originally posted by NYniner85:

Originally posted by 49erBigMac:

Originally posted by Heroism:
I've been avoiding Josh Simmons because I've read all the injury stuff, but out of curiosity, I decided to watch his tape...holy f**k, this dude can scoot. Smooth as hell in his pass sets. Everything looks effortless.

I agree completely, issue is that a Patella injury not only can hamper that athleticism,.they're a future risk to go again with the scary tissue. It sounds like his recovery is going great, but I'm afraid I'd need to let someone else take that risk.

Would you risk it in the 2nd?

Possibly, depends who else is there. #43 is still a decent value pick, actually I think it's around the meat of this draft.

Originally posted by NYniner85:

Originally posted by 49erBigMac:

Originally posted by Heroism:
I've been avoiding Josh Simmons because I've read all the injury stuff, but out of curiosity, I decided to watch his tape...holy f**k, this dude can scoot. Smooth as hell in his pass sets. Everything looks effortless.

I agree completely, issue is that a Patella injury not only can hamper that athleticism,.they're a future risk to go again with the scary tissue. It sounds like his recovery is going great, but I'm afraid I'd need to let someone else take that risk.

Would you risk it in the 2nd?

Yes. You risk it in the 2nd round imo and I'm on record of not wanting him cuz of the injury.

Originally posted by NYniner85:
Would you risk it in the 2nd?

Man, I'm glad I'm not the one making decisions because I don't know if I could pass on this dude if he's sitting there in the 2nd. This is an impressive rep here jumping a wide 9, which can be a scary technique for young players, but he's so smooth. Crazy movement ability. Elite feet. He gets his outside hand chopped, but he resets and replaces it. I don't want to watch anymore of Simmons.

I tore my Patella tendon 7 years ago. Granted I'm not an elite athlete, and I was 34, but I'm still not recovered. I know that guys in their physical peak can come back from them and it sounds like he is going to. However the re-injury risk is real and it going at any point immediately costs you a season. If he's still there in the 2nd it means every team has done a medical check and said "Nah" as this guy is a surefire 1st round talent. For every D'onta High tower there's a Weston Richburg.

Originally posted by 49erBigMac:
I tore my Patella tendon 7 years ago. Granted I'm not an elite athlete, and I was 34, but I'm still not recovered. I know that guys in their physical peak can come back from them and it sounds like he is going to. However the re-injury risk is real and it going at any point immediately costs you a season. If he's still there in the 2nd it means every team has done a medical check and said "Nah" as this guy is a surefire 1st round talent. For every D'onta High tower there's a Weston Richburg.

Yeah, that's a bad injury. I can't even think of a single player that came back from that injury and regained their prior level of play.

It's sad because the dude is an incredible talent. So smooth and natural. The build, fluidity, foot speed, crafty hands, etc immediately reminded me of Joe Staley.

He'd be long gone by the 49ers' pick if he had clean medicals.