2012 Senior Bowl: Standouts the 49ers Should Take a Look At

by Dylan DeSimone on Jan 29, 2012 7:54 AM PST in 2012 NFL Draft

As I watched a good part of the 2012 Senior Bowl on NFL Network, I paid special attention to a few key positions that would be relevant to the 49ers this offseason. I believe the Senior Bowl is a great way to judge collegiate athletes ability to play at the next level. A lot of players have had pretty good performances in that particular game, including our own Patrick Willis.

For you Niner fans who actually caught the game, you're probably wondering about Joe Adams of the Arkansas Razorbacks. Adams had a nice performance with 6 catches for 119 yards to rebound from a lost fumble early in the game. I liked what I saw from him besides the fact that he looks a bit undersized. Other than that, Adams clearly has playmaking ability; showcasing his skills after the catch, and making people miss. He could possibly develop into a DeSean Jackson-Percy Harvin-Steve Smith type receiver at the next level.

Continuing on the offensive side of the ball, (especially the WR position), Juron Criner continues to stay on my radar. I can't seem to shake him loose -- the kid just shows up to play. He has a bigger frame than Adams, and displays solid hands. The Arizona product has deceiving speed, makes the catches in traffic and with defenders hanging on him. I also like the way he seems to naturally use his body to shield the ball from the defender when attack the football. He had a touchdown reception from his quarterback at Arizona, Nick Foles.

On the defensive side of the ball, three players caught my attention; the first player is Clemson's Brandon Thompson. The defensive tackle is just disruptive and appears to have a lot of upside going in the NFL. As it relates to the 49ers, I could see him as a potential successor to Justin Smith at that right end/defensive tackle spot. However, he could go higher than the 49ers are willing to pick for a guy that wouldn't be starting for another few years.

The next player that got his name called was defensive lineman Vinny Curry from Marshall. Curry plays the end but could transition to the outside linebacker position in the pros, and the 49ers staff knows a thing or two about that process. If Ahmad Brooks leaves in free agency, it will leave a spot to be filled at the LOLB position. Curry had double-digit sacks this season at Marshall and registered one in the Senior Bowl.

Keeping in mind that Brooks may attempt to get a lucrative payday in the offseason, another linebacker I couldn't help but notice was Sean Spence from "the U already know." Spence is projected to be an inside linebacker but looks to be a natural tackler who could probably play any linebacker spot, especially so early in his career. As a Canes fan, I would love to see the 49ers bring in Spence if it fills a need. However, it's a more logical approach to look for a more pass-rushing type to fit this defense -- Bowman and Willis already do enough run stopping and pass coverage.

Which one of these players did you like for the 49ers?

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I like those same offensive guys too

Criner would be a great steal in this draft judging by what he showed all week at the senior bowl!!

I think the niners first pick will obviously depend what they do in free agency. If they sign a WR (which they better lol) then they have to take someone to fill in for Brooks or a cb that drops to them. a week ago i though dennard would be a good pick at the end of the first, but now i’m not too sure….he looked like a liability this week.

can always trade upa little to get criner in the second if that’s someone the niners want to target. I don’t think he’ll last till the niners 2nd round spot

by slim on Jan 29, 2012 8:06 AM PST reply actions

truthfully...

I Hope We Get Konz, Janoris Jenkins, Sanu Or Mike Adams In The Draft Which Ever One Works For Me

Free Agency We Sign Dwanye Bowe & Carl Nicks To 4 Year Contracts

by LA#1BullsFan on Jan 29, 2012 8:28 AM PST via mobile reply actions

bowe and nicks would allow the niners to really start drafting for depth

by slim on Jan 29, 2012 9:01 AM PST up reply actions

No way that happens though

It won’t let us re-sign much of our defense

"Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness that most frightens us"

by FearTheTree on Jan 29, 2012 9:02 AM PST up reply actions

ya they'll cost a lot

not sure how much cap space they’ll have but i think it’s gonn abe a lot. just have to resign rogers and unfotunately franchise goldson. let brooks walk and then draft his replacement in 1st or 2nd. everyone else shoudl come fairly cheap…….except alex i guess….forgot about him

by slim on Jan 29, 2012 9:10 AM PST up reply actions

Alex will still come relatively cheap

…nobody out there is going to scoop him up regardless of all he’s done this season

by Doni S on Jan 29, 2012 1:23 PM PST via mobile up reply actions

I wouldn't be surprised to see the Jets make an offer for him.

He’d finally have talent around him.

Gimme 1 round!

by ItBurnzWhenIP on Jan 29, 2012 4:50 PM PST up reply actions

No Sanu. Adams impressed at the Senior Bowl

Maybe he’d make a better RT than Davis and we could move him to guard.

Gimme 1 round!

by ItBurnzWhenIP on Jan 29, 2012 4:49 PM PST up reply actions

no thanks

"You know whats funny? I always thought uhm dogs lay eggs and I learned something new today" Peter Griffin

by HUNGRY HUNTER on Jan 29, 2012 5:01 PM PST up reply actions

If we're not going to resign Ginn

Joe Adams is a must. He’s dynamite as a returner and he’s got much better hands and runs better routes. Plus he offers the same threat that Ginn does (reverses out of the backfield). He can seriously stretch the field — but not only as a decoy. He was pegged to be a 3rd/4th rounder — he probably goes higher now.

Criner continues to impress and I’d be happy with him in the second. He’s got glue for hands and runs excellent routes. Marvin Jones would be excellent later on.

"Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness that most frightens us"

by FearTheTree on Jan 29, 2012 8:58 AM PST reply actions

sounds like Joe Adams is a poor man's Kendall Wright

and after his performance he may not be that far behind

by slim on Jan 29, 2012 9:36 AM PST up reply actions

So it sounds like, based on where the Niners are drafting,

Signing FA DB(s) might be the best way to go? Then fill other needs in the draft?

Niners Nation on the Reservation

by kinglouie33 on Jan 29, 2012 9:19 AM PST reply actions

I'd like to see them sign one if they can

someone cheaper…..like tracy porter…..and then maybe draft one the 2nd or 3rd too. again it all depends on if they sign a big name wr in free agency tho. To me that’s the first domino that determines the direction for the draft

by slim on Jan 29, 2012 9:35 AM PST up reply actions

We Have Like 60 Million In Cap Space

I Heard Or We Should So Resign Carlos, Alex, Snyder For Depth & Move Culliver To Saftey &I Draft! Corner In The 1st Round If There’s Any That Our Worth It Or Trade Up To Draft A Corner. Then Get Nicks & Bowe. With The Rest Of Our Picks Draft For Depth

by LA#1BullsFan on Jan 29, 2012 9:35 AM PST via mobile reply actions

Nicks will cost 50M +

Gimme 1 round!

by ItBurnzWhenIP on Jan 29, 2012 4:52 PM PST up reply actions

culliver to safety? no

"You know whats funny? I always thought uhm dogs lay eggs and I learned something new today" Peter Griffin

by HUNGRY HUNTER on Jan 29, 2012 5:02 PM PST up reply actions

not sure I like trading up

I just wouldn’t want to see the team give up picks. If they can get 3 or 4 guys in this draft…..just like last year……that can be productive in areas of need then I think they are well on their way to the NFC championship again. Giving up picks really limits that ability to fill numerous holes

by slim on Jan 29, 2012 9:40 AM PST reply actions

question?

How do we even know that they wont franchise tag bowe?

by LA#1BullsFan on Jan 29, 2012 9:58 AM PST via mobile up reply actions

we don't

but thats where the niners need to plan for all scenarios….which i’m sure they will. if they can’t sign bowe then try for vjax or stevie johnson. I’m not a fan of colston or djax really, but that’s just me. if they don;t get a FA wr then sure they can take one in th 1st but the damage will be done…..they need one of those FA’s to really move the offense into the next tier for next season. A rookie doesn’t help them immediately….except maybe blackmon I think they’d be crazy to trade up high enough to get him

by slim on Jan 29, 2012 10:21 AM PST up reply actions

On Joe Adams...

Call me crazy….and after the last playoff game you would have reason too. But I like Kyle Williams’ progression as a receiver and I see Joe Adams as just a duplication of the same skill set. Thats why a guy like Juron Criner excites me more than Adams. The Niners need a big body that can help in the redzone and add another deep threat to go along with Vernon.

Otherwise use the cap space to sign Marques Colston, and if you don’t trust Williams draft Marquis Maze in the fifth or sixth round. Would be cheaper than Adams. You can use the second rounder you’d have to use to get Adams on a defender. And having watched Maze the last four years he gives you the same ability in the return game and is a solid slot receiver

by TiderNiner48 on Jan 29, 2012 9:45 AM PST reply actions

i like kyle williams too

we all know he had a bad game. I agree that if they draft a wr it should be a bigger body that could be useful in the red zone. but there was a lot of talk and i’ve seen some mocks that have wright going to the niners. I personally don;t think he’ll fall that far, especially once he rips the combine apart, so if he didn’t then adam would be another option is all. I’m with you tho Tider…..take Criner.

by slim on Jan 29, 2012 9:58 AM PST up reply actions

Kyle Williams isn't going to be much

I think he has the talent to be special but with the way he’s racked up the concussions this early in his career, he won’t be playing football for long.

That’s just cold hard reality.

Every time Jamie Dukes says something enlightening and informative about football Jerry Rice and I mount up on our flying grizzly bears and claim pirate treasure from the moon. That's how often it happens.

by Ougadas on Jan 29, 2012 10:12 AM PST up reply actions

ur right

look at what’s happening with jahvid best and the lions right now cuase of his concussions

by slim on Jan 29, 2012 10:22 AM PST up reply actions

Desean Jackson

Percy Harvin, Steve Smith….they’ve all have had a history of concussions and injuries and have still turned into productive players. It’s just the nature of playing the game and being that small. Just throwing that out there. As far as Best goes, running back is a whole different animal. I just wouldn’t give up on Williams yet.

by TiderNiner48 on Jan 29, 2012 10:40 AM PST up reply actions

Funny you mentioned it

Desean hasn’t been the same since his last concussion and the Vikings are constantly biting their fingernails that the next hit Harvin takes will end his career.

by Ougadas on Jan 29, 2012 10:51 AM PST up reply actions

how many has he had?

"You know whats funny? I always thought uhm dogs lay eggs and I learned something new today" Peter Griffin

by HUNGRY HUNTER on Jan 29, 2012 5:03 PM PST up reply actions

Four

by McTee on Jan 29, 2012 6:13 PM PST up reply actions

On defense

I like Bobby Wagner at linebacker. Much more than I like Spence or Curry. But I think Wagner is going to go much higher than we want to take him.

I like Juron Criner at the wideout position, but if we get jumped on him I think we can find Marvin Jones still available in the middle rounds and I think he has the right mentality for the position. Another middle round consolation prize could be Gerell Robinson and I think if we don’t get the guy we want high we have to take 2 mid round guys as insurance on at least one of them being able to play.

If Janoris Jenkins or Cordy Glenn fall to #30 then I think we have an easy decision to make there. I don’t see corner as a huge need but Jenkins is a top 10 talent that might fall due to some stupid choices that might not be predictive of who he is.

by Ougadas on Jan 29, 2012 10:23 AM PST reply actions

if janoris is there they should sprint to the podium lol

by slim on Jan 29, 2012 10:25 AM PST up reply actions

Janoris out here will probably get a bad case of Glaucoma and spend his first million on opening his own dispensary.

Gimme 1 round!

by ItBurnzWhenIP on Jan 29, 2012 4:56 PM PST up reply actions

My thoughts on Senior Bowl players of interest to the Niners ...

Of the guys you mention:
1. Joe Adams — really quick, but a smaller version of Kyle Williams.
2. Juron Criner — like him a lot, but can’t figure out why the better scouting services have him ranked so low: New Era Scouting has him at #278 and NFL Draft Scout at #331 … meaaning that he’s not even a 7th rounder. On the other hand, Draft Tek has him as a 2nd rounder, but their evaluations, in many cases, tend to be way off the mark until after the Combine. Could be a lower-round possibility.
3. Brandon Thompson — didn’t really watch him much because he will be gone before we draft a DL.
4. Vinny Curry — he was OK but I thought that Sean McClellin from Boise State was faster, was more effective as a pass rusher AND was better in coverage. I think McClellin could become a steal because he won’t be selected as high as Curry but may become a better player.
5. Sean Spence — just don’t see it; too small (5’11" 228) to be an effective OLB or ILB in the NFL.

Other guys who I think have potential:
1. DBs — corner Josh Norman of Coastal Carolina, safety George Iloka of Boise State.
2. WR — Marvin Jones of Cal, Brian Quick of Appalachian State.
3. OLB — Sean McClellin of Boise State.
4. DLs — Mike Martin of Michigan, Derek Wolfe of Cincinnati.
5. KR/PR — Isaiah Pead of Cincinnati.

Guys that really disappointed me:
1. DBs — Alfonzo Dennard or Nebraska, Janoris Jenkins of Florida/North Alabama.
2. WR — Dwight Jones of North Carolina, Jeff Fuller of Texas A&M.
3. TE — Ladarius Green of Louisiana – Lafayette.
4. OT — Zeb Sanders or Florida State.

The “tweeners”:
1. LB Bobby Wagner of Utal State — hell of a motor, but too small to play LB (6’0" 240) and too big to play SS.
2. CB Brandon Boykin of Georgia — great athlete but probably too small (5’9" 183) to be a really effective CB in the NFL.

by 49erFanSince1950 on Jan 29, 2012 10:29 AM PST reply actions

yes derek wolfe could be another guy to watch for

by slim on Jan 29, 2012 10:37 AM PST up reply actions

My Thoughts Is

Cheifs Franchise D.Bowe

Chargers Work Out Big Deal With V.Jaxs

Eagle Let Jackson Walk

Saints Resign Brees, Franchise Carl Nicks & Let Colston Or Mecham (How ever His Name Spelled) Walk

Bills Let S,Johson Walk

I Don’t Want S.Johnson, Colston Or Jackson So We Draft Saun Or Jeffreys & Maybe, Just Maybe Pick Up Mecham To Spread The Field A Little

by LA#1BullsFan on Jan 29, 2012 11:00 AM PST via mobile reply actions

I'd take Stevie Johnson in a heartbeat

But the Bills will resign him.

Gimme 1 round!

by ItBurnzWhenIP on Jan 29, 2012 4:57 PM PST up reply actions

i do not think bowe is worth the franchise tag and the chiefs most likely do also

and with alex smith as the qb bowe would have sub 1,000 season

"You know whats funny? I always thought uhm dogs lay eggs and I learned something new today" Peter Griffin

by HUNGRY HUNTER on Jan 29, 2012 5:09 PM PST up reply actions

Because Alex's YPA is so low right?

Gimme 1 round!

by ItBurnzWhenIP on Jan 29, 2012 7:15 PM PST up reply actions

If Crabtree can put up 874 as our “#1 receiver” Bowe will put up 1000+ no problem.

by Mapletreemarty on Jan 30, 2012 7:27 AM PST up reply actions

see i like stevie

ya he does some dumb stuff on the field and dropped a couple passes but he’s young and has some size and athleticism. Harbaugh will get him to cut out the b.s.

by slim on Jan 29, 2012 11:20 AM PST reply actions

Heir Apparent to Justin Smith

Not going to find one. Won’t find a heir until the 49ers suck another season and end up with a Top 10 pick.

Support Ron Paul for President

by bignerd on Jan 29, 2012 1:58 PM PST reply actions

Yup , that was the only good thing about Ten Years of Suck... higher draft picks ...!!

I'm your " Huckelberry "...it's just my game ..( .AleX ) was asked , what do you think about all the game manager talk ... AleX i guess i just managed myself a VIctory ... Extend the Man ...!!

by Edggy on Jan 29, 2012 3:59 PM PST up reply actions

Billy Winn---

Calais Campbell was drafted in the second round and is a unrestricted free agent

"You know whats funny? I always thought uhm dogs lay eggs and I learned something new today" Peter Griffin

by HUNGRY HUNTER on Jan 29, 2012 5:07 PM PST up reply actions

As an Arkie, I"d be Happy with Joe Adams in San Fran

But Jake Bequette is a guy I’m VERY interested in seeing in the red and gold. He’s 6’5, 265, spend some time beefing up a bit, and sitting right behind Justin Smith. I think he turns into a monster. He is just a ball of kill, and I think he is being VERY underrated. we can get him in the third I think.

Repeating something over and over doesn't make it true.

by Arkie49er on Jan 29, 2012 6:37 PM PST reply actions

......

C.Rodgers 3Year 27Million = 9Mil

C.Nicks 5Years 51Million = 10 Mil

D.Bowe 3Years 24Million = 8 Mil

A.Smith 2Years 16Million = 8Mil

D.Goldson 2Yearw 13Million = 6Mil

42 Mil

Which Would Leave Us With 18V Million In Cap Space Where Our Darft Picks Are All High So The Wouldn’t Cost AnyThing & We Sign A Coupke Of Proven Vets. We Might Be Broke, But We Be SUPER BOWL BOUND!

by LA#1BullsFan on Jan 29, 2012 10:06 PM PST via mobile reply actions

You realize nobody signs 2 year deals.

Alex will walk if we offer him that insulting of a deal. And he’ll go to a team with a decent offensive line and put up even better numbers for them. Jets would offer him much better than that if they don’t get Manning.

Gimme 1 round!

by ItBurnzWhenIP on Jan 29, 2012 11:40 PM PST up reply actions

i Think...

Jets Will Ride Mark Sanchez D!#k For One More Year. Why Would They Want To Get Another Potenital Starting QB When All That Would Do Is Cause More Problems With Mark Sanchez &I The Locker Room?

by LA#1BullsFan on Jan 30, 2012 1:00 AM PST via mobile up reply actions