The NFL Combine is a week away, which means we will start getting familiar with names in the upcoming NFL Draft. NFL Network’s Daniel Jeremiah had a conference call on Thursday afternoon and was asked which players would be a fit for the San Francisco 49ers late in the first round. Here’s what he said:
If you’re looking for that big, physical rusher that kind of fits those specs, to me, Zion Young, he’s 6’5” and a quarter, 262 pounds. He would fit those specs. I know TJ Parker is not quite as big, but he’s almost 6’4”, 263 pounds out of Clemson.
Both of those guys can be kind of those heavy edge setters, but can really rush with a lot of power and strength off the edge. Those would be two from the edge rushing group.
In terms of the receivers who can really, really run. There’s going to be a lot of options there. KC Concepion from Texas A&M’s got elite, elite speed. He’s got a couple of punt return touchdowns to throw in the mix. He runs away from everybody. He’s got some route polish to him as well. The thing with him is just the drops. He had seven drops this year. So, you’re going to have to live with some of that, but he’s going to give you the explosive plays to go along with it. But that’s somebody who would fit that real speed portion of it.
I think [wide receiver] Denzel Boston is probably gone by then. He’s going to give you the combination of both. He’s going to be 6’3”, close to 210 pounds. And I bet he runs in the 4.4s. Mid 4.4s at that size. He’s going to jump really well. He can win at the line of scrimmage against press. He’s a red zone weapon. He can play above the rim. He can adjust in the middle of the field. He’s a point scorer. He reminds me a lot of Courtland Sutton. He’d be a fun one to have if he were to make it that far.
Zion Young is listed at pick 38 on the consensus big board. He’s known for play strength, high-end motor, and setting the edge, but some draft analysts believe he lacks a pass rush repertoire and lacks the traditional bend.
The worry with Concepion, who is 26th currently on the consensus big board, is selecting a receiver in the first round who might weigh 175 pounds. Historically, how many of those players pan out? The 49ers love to use their wide receivers in condenses splits. Concepion would have to block and work over the middle of the field.
He only caught 78 percent of his catchable passes, which is 18th among wide receivers in this draft. What would that number look like if he’s consistently working over the middle in Kyle Shanahan’s offense?
Boston is ranked 22nd. I do not think he is going to run in the mid 4.4s. That would be surprising. He did not look like a wide receiver with a second gear. You could see that when it was time to run by a defensive back or create yards after the catch. The comp of Courtland Sutton makes sense, as Sutton ran a 4.54 40-yard dash. Still, there is plenty to like about Boston if he does fall to the 49ers.
What do you think about these three prospects?