49ers head coach Jim Harbaugh chatted with the media in a formal press conference on Thursday, but he also made the rounds with radio interviews and some smaller group interviews. At one point he had a chance to discuss his knowledge of some of this year's draft class from his days at Stanford.
Given the timing of recruiting, he interacted frequently with the entire Stanford class of players and has his own brand of insights into them. We've heard quite a bit about how the team had wanted to consider Doug Baldwin before he ended up in Seattle. This is Harbaugh's second time through the draft, so we'll see if the 49ers snatch up any Stanford options.
He had a chance to speak specifically about Cardinal tight end Coby Fleener, who is projected somewhere around the end of the first round and beginning of the second round:
"Coby played in and won us games," Harbaugh said. "I tend to be - man, I love this guy. Maybe I over-evaluate. That's why it probably takes checks and balances with those guys that I know so well."
We've had some discussion about Fleener and there are some folks who would be quite excited to grab the Stanford tight end and go with a triple tight end set. It is worth noting that although Fleener had his height, weight and hand measurements taken yesterday, he will not take part in the various drills due to an ankle injury. He will perform the various drills at the Stanford Pro Day.
It is of course worth noting the 49ers already have Nate Byham as a possible third tight end if he sufficiently recovers from a torn ACL. He likely would have been the number three tight end this season had he not gotten injured and this whole conversation would be moot. Nonetheless, Fleener could be an intriguing low-hanging fruit for Harbaugh.