Willie Lampkin-C/FB-UNC

Draft Lampkin and Jackson Hawes and run a 1970s style ground attack. If Lampkin were a little bit taller and 20 pounds heavier, I think his draft trajectory would be a lot higher. As it is I think he could fit in as a backup OL and a FB whose size and agility could be well utilized in short yardage situations.

Love this guy late in the draft

I didn't notice him when watching Omarian Hampton, and I think that's actually a good thing. If we just lied and said he was 6'1" 300 pounds he'd be a Day 2 player. We love Nolen and he fared very well against him at the Senior Bowl.

F it, let everyone pass on him and take him in the 6th-7th. Bring him into compete with Brendel and the DL in practice and see what happens.

Worst comes to the worst, stick him on the Practice squad and feed him while he lives in the weight room.

Originally posted by 49erBigMac:
I didn't notice him when watching Omarian Hampton, and I think that's actually a good thing. If we just lied and said he was 6'1" 300 pounds he'd be a Day 2 player. We love Nolen and he fared very well against him at the Senior Bowl.

F it, let everyone pass on him and take him in the 6th-7th. Bring him into compete with Brendel and the DL in practice and see what happens.

Worst comes to the worst, stick him on the Practice squad and feed him while he lives in the weight room.

He's 5'10", not sure there's much more room on his frame to fill out. I think a spot OL/FB might be his best role in the NFL. Having him around on short yardage and goal line plays would be a hell of a lot of fun, especially if you added Jackson Hawes at TE. That's two guys that block like linemen that you can utilize in all sorts of creative ways.

In that case he would need something else to be worth a roster spot, we don't carry a backup FB. I'm surprised he didn't long snap. I don't even care how heavy he can get, give him a look and if it's not working just max him out. If it still doesn't work then move on, you've not lost much.

I like the idea of using this guy as an extra OL who doubles as a "blocking weapon." Throw him out there in short yardage/goal line jumbo packages as a 6th OL, inline or winged as a jumbo tight end or in the backfield as a a lead blocker.

I just don't know if there's a roster spot for that.

Originally posted by Heroism:
I like the idea of using this guy as an extra OL who doubles as a "blocking weapon." Throw him out there in short yardage/goal line jumbo packages as a 6th OL, inline or winged as a jumbo tight end or in the backfield as a a lead blocker.

I just don't know if there's a roster spot for that.

I would like that too, but there isn't a roster spot for it. We would just have to see if he can defy all height/weight limits ever set. He'll never be out leveraged as low man wins!!

Players drafted that low are for a reason, they're too small, too slow, played at too low a level, are injured or didn't produce. I'll take my chance on a good football player any day.

Store him on the PS and cross-train him as a FB + long snapper. Make him a OW + special teams role player.

Originally posted by GEEK:
Store him on the PS and cross-train him as a FB + long snapper. Make him a OW + special teams role player.

Yes, but that's the backup plan, if he comes to camp and holds his own give him a shot. Don't just assume he can't do it, have a look.

Originally posted by 49erBigMac:
In that case he would need something else to be worth a roster spot, we don't carry a backup FB. I'm surprised he didn't long snap. I don't even care how heavy he can get, give him a look and if it's not working just max him out. If it still doesn't work then move on, you've not lost much.

Backup C/backup FB. You could find stuff for a guy like this to do. Use him like the Lions use Dan Skipper too. Outside of the height/weight stuff I think he's a phenomenal prospect, on and off the field. I'd roll the dice on him with a late round pick betting that he could stick on the roster somewhere.

Originally posted by Phoenix49ers:

Originally posted by 49erBigMac:
In that case he would need something else to be worth a roster spot, we don't carry a backup FB. I'm surprised he didn't long snap. I don't even care how heavy he can get, give him a look and if it's not working just max him out. If it still doesn't work then move on, you've not lost much.

Backup C/backup FB. You could find stuff for a guy like this to do. Use him like the Lions use Dan Skipper too. Outside of the height/weight stuff I think he's a phenomenal prospect, on and off the field. I'd roll the dice on him with a late round pick betting that he could stick on the roster somewhere.

I hear you, but I don't agree with creating roster spots for that late a pick. Fine if he wins the backup C job, but there's no backup FB. If he has to sit on the PS for a bit, then also fine. I'd roll the dice as well, but it's because I believe he could beat out Brendel, even if not in year 1. If you don't believe that, you don't draft him IMO.

Shanny could let Lampkin and Nugent slap each other silly to determine (last man standing) who gets to rush the ball at the goal line

It's going to be interesting where in the draft Lampkin gets drafted, And what team is going to take Willie Lampkin. If he was 6'2" or taller, And with the kind of production he had at North Carolina he could've been maybe a 2nd round or a 3rd round and (Could still be? Maybe 4th at best) but b/c of his size 5'-10" he's projected as a day 3 pick? But some Scouts feel that he could out play the round he is drafted at. Especially if it's in round 5-6 (I think if somehow Lamkin is there at Rd 6 ? "Which I doubt he will be" "He Could be one of the drafts steals"

What he lacks in height he makes up with his blend of technical refinement, And Positional Versatility (26 at left guard, 21 at right guard, 14 at center) but his movement skills and compact frame could make him an intriguing chess piece in creative offensive schemes. North Carolina experimented with using him as a lead blocker in certain packages, and his ability to pull and locate defenders suggests he could be utilized in a hybrid fullback or H-back role in short-yardage situations (speak to both his versatility and durability)

His ability to operate in space, combined with his tenacity and finishing ability, makes him an appealing option for teams looking to add a unique element to their blocking surface levels.

Lampkin is a leverage monster in the run game with a refined skill set and a keen understanding of how to stick on blocks. He can hold the point in the post on double teams, (Not surprising of Lamkin usage of leverage as he was a State Wrestling Champ)

NFL scouts project Lamkin's landing spot best fit would be to a team that features a zone-blocking scheme that maximizes his exceptional movement skills and allows him to operate in space. Teams that emphasize mobility over mass in their interior offensive line would unlock his full potential.

His high energy showcases one of the more intricate evaluations in the 2025 class. While his frame may not fit the prototype for an NFL guard or center, his natural leverage advantage, lateral agility, and finishing mentality make him an effective blocker in both the run and pass.

Lampkin earned Sun Belt Offensive Lineman of the Year honors as a junior and multiple All-Conference selections while delivering an impressive 47 pancake blocks over his first two campaigns.

Originally posted by scooterhd:

If he was like 6'3" and 305, I think he'd be a 2nd rounder at minimum. Skillwise he's pretty amazing.

On the other hand, he's not losing the leverage battle. 270 at 5'10 is crazy.