While there is still the Super Bowl to be played, the NFL Draft is a mere 3 months away and the 49ers have plenty of work to do if they want to regain some momentum next year. For those of you who were not around here during this stretch, I ran some scouting reports on various college players. You can check out the various scouting reports here, along with other 2007 Draft information. I tried to stick with players the 49ers were considering (according to mock drafts and general news) and also guys I liked and hoped the 49ers would grab (see Moore, Jay). For the most part I tried to get these scouting reports from the various SB Nation college bloggers. This worked great for most guys, but of course we don't have a blog for every college. So, before we move on, consider this a general call for any help in either providing scouting reports (if you have watched a lot of a player or maybe attend the same school) or helping to locate blogs of non-SB Nation schools (all blogs are listed here).
For now though, I want to start with James Hardy, who is a guy I've seen selected by the 49ers in several mock drafts, including one of ESPN's draft guys, Todd McShay and also Mel Kiper, Jr. (both Insider-protected). SB Nation does not have an Indiana blog and I don't know a whole lot about Hardy, so this will be a little bit more pieced together than others in the future. The most important things about Hardy? He's TALL and he's got some supposed character red flags. From McShay:
For some of the basics on James Hardy:
6'7, 220 lbs, 22 years old, Junior
2005 - 61 rec., 893 yards, 10 TDs
2006 - 51 rec., 722 yards, 10 TDs
2007 - 79 rec., 1125 yards, 16 TDs
For that senior year, he was top 25 in receptions and yards and #2 in the country in touchdown passes (the next closest on his own team was 4 TDs).
Here is a brief scouting report from Pro Football Weekly:
One other scouting report from FFToolbox.com:
So what does this all mean? Well until the Combine and potential visits with teams, not much beyond what we make of it. If he runs a fast 40, he'll most definitely climb in the rankings. Earlier in the college season he was projected as a 2nd-round, but has risen after an impressive junior campaign. In spite of the numbers he seems to be considered a bit of a project with a ton of upside. He comes in behind Limas Sweed and Early Doucet, and I would not anticipate those guys being around at the end of the first round. Although Hardy could turn into a steal, right now he seems to be a bit of a gamble. Again, if the 40 time looks good at the Combine, teams will be drooling over a guy this big.
What do you think the 49ers would be getting if they drafted Hardy? Or is he a guy you even want to see with the 49ers next year. I've heard arguments both ways and am trying to not to become too enamored by his size. Thoughts?
Oh also, it's not much but here is a search from You Tube with a few highlights (but not much).