The NFL Draft season is officially here, and while we all wait to see who will host the Lombardi Trophy next weekend (rooting for the Falcons here), we get to spend this Saturday (January 28th) intensely gazing upon potential future 49ers performing in the premier collegiate all-star game, the Senior Bowl. Let's take a look back at current 49ers who have graced the field of the Senior Bowl.
Phil Dawson, K - 1998
Joe Staley, OT - 2007
Zane Beadles, OG - 2010
Colin Kaepernick, QB - 2011
Christian Ponder, QB - 2011
Jeremy Kerley, WR - 2011
Tony Jerod-Eddie, DL - 2012
Quinton Patton, WR - 2013
Vance McDonald, TE - 2013
Chris Davis, CB - 2014
Jimmie Ward, DB - 2014
Dontae Johnson, CB - 2014
Trent Brown, OT - 2015
Jaquiski Tartt, S - 2015
JaCorey Shepherd, CB - 2015
Aaron Burbridge, WR - 2016
Josh Garnett, OG - 2016
John Theus, OG - 2016
The Senior Bowl is a scouting haven where NFL talent evaluators, draft analysts, and couch GM's decipher the best of the best senior prospects in this years' class. For those selected few seniors, it's their last chance to play collegiate football competitively against quality talent, where iron sharpens iron in hopes of increasing a players' draft stock or create a memorable and lasting blip on an NFL teams' radar.
Players from both rosters will be coached under the tutelage of NFL guidance with first-year NFL head coach Hue Jackson and the Cleveland Browns' coaching staff coaching the South Team, and second-year NFL head coach John Fox and the Chicago Bears' coaching staff coaching the North Team. Today, we take a look at several standout players on the offensive side of the ball from the South squad, specifically players who could fit with the 49ers.
South Offense
QB Davis Webb, No. 7, 6'5" - 230 lbs., 4.86 40 - (3rd) - California
Webb's 2016 season stats: completed 382-of-620 passes (61.6%) for 4,295 yards with 37 passing touchdowns and 12 interceptions for a 135.63 passing efficiency rating.
QB Davis Webb is a graduate transfer from Texas Tech showcasing ideal size, length, solid accuracy, decent mobility, good and quick decision making, big-time arm with a quick motion and snappy release, solid vision, and great field awareness. A technician processing information efficiently operating in an up-tempo Air/Bear Raid offense, Webb is an exciting player to watch take apart defenses at every level, where he can beat defenders with quick passes, drive passes in tight windows, great ball placement, throws with touch and precision, or gracefully lofts one over-the-top with amazing touch. He shows poise standing tall in the pocket with impressive footwork and is always looking downfield. Although he is not overly athletic, Webb displays good movement in the pocket, and when pressure forces him to scramble, he consistently keeps his eyes downfield looking to pass squaring up to make impressive throws on the run. Operating exclusively from the shotgun, Webb will need to learn to operate under center at the next level. A very intelligent prospect with an outstanding work ethic, the grit and toughness absorbing hits in the pocket, and a prototypical NFL quarterback frame.
Round Projection: 3rd
RB Matthew Dayes, No. 21 (20), 5'9" - 203 lbs., 4.47 40 - (4th) - NC State
Dayes' 2016 season stats: attempted 249 rushes for 1,166 yards averaging 4.7 yards per carry with 10 touchdowns. 32 receptions for 267 yards averaging 8.3 yards per reception.
RB Matthew Dayes is a hard-nosed playmaker with tremendous instincts, patience, and vision. A complete and natural running back, Dayes displays a solid combination of size, speed, quickness, physicality, balance, athleticism, and elusiveness. He accelerates around the edges, one-cuts and explodes, and runs solid inside between the tackles making consecutive moves in a short area running low and through the cracks maintaining the desired low pad-level hitting and slashing the hole exploding and accelerating to daylight. Excels at earning a lot of tough yards after contact. The home run hitter also displays excellent pass-catching ability skills with strong hands and breakaway speed capability. Shows great effort in pass protection, but needs improvement.
Round Projection: 4th
RB Donnel Pumphrey, No. 19, 5'8" - 180 lbs., 4.43 40 - (4th) - San Diego State
Pumphrey's 2016 season stats: attempted 349 rushes for 2,133 yards averaging 6.1 yards per carry with 17 touchdowns. 27 receptions for 231 yards averaging 8.6 yards per reception.
RB Donnel Pumphrey is a dynamic explosive versatile football player and a true home run hitter. Although not a powerful running back, Pumphrey bursts and hits the hole with authority, maintains low pad-level squirming his way to daylight exploding and separating from defenders with excellent vision, speed, elusiveness, and impressive strength. Pumphrey displays the Frank Gore factor in finding and slipping through dime-sized holes like a mouse, breaking tackles with impressive yards after contact and a knack to fall forward for extra yards. A nightmare in space, Pumphrey has tremendous change of directions skills running and making cuts with minimal loss of speed. A natural pass catcher, he also displays excellent receiving skills with solid hands, impressive ball skills, a smooth route runner, and terrific suddenness in and out of his breaks. Pumphrey is not a typical complimentary scatback, but a true well-rounded workhorse with an impressive inside and outside game, solid instincts, enough strength to pick up the difficult yards running through tackles, the suddenness to make defenders miss, and a dominant playmaker in space. His size will be an issue for some NFL teams with durability being an area of concern.
Round Projection: 4th
RB Jamaal Williams, No. 21, 6'0" - 220 lbs., 4.62 40 - (4th) - BYU
Williams' 2016 season stats: attempted 234 rushes for 1,375 yards averaging 5.9 yards per carry with 12 touchdowns. 7 receptions for 80 yards averaging 11.4 yards per reception.
RB Jamaal Williams is an underrated powerful and violent downhill runner that is poised to rise up draft boards throughout the season. Williams' career at BYU started out great from having the most carries, yards, and touchdowns by a BYU true freshman in 2012, to leading the team as their top rusher in 2014 despite playing only eight games due to a season ending knee injury. In 2015, Williams withdrew from the football program, as well as the school, for "personal reasons"; however, it turns out Williams violated unspecified team rules and was told he could either be suspended indefinitely or withdraw from school. Reasons for his redshirt year in 2015, an arrest in 2014 for suspicion of underage drinking, and another alcohol related team suspension (one game) will no doubt be major factors NFL teams will need to address, as well as durability concerns with the knee injury he suffered in 2014.
Nevertheless, the 2016 version of Williams is similar to a Phoenix rising from the ashes, where a bigger, faster, and stronger version has emerged rooted by his growth in maturity (elected team captain). Williams displays excellent balance and vision rumbling through defenses spinning and shedding off tackles with great power and physicality. Shows solid pad level hitting the hole with power behind his pads, sound ability in making consecutive moves in a short area (excellent at jump-cuts), great football IQ and awareness showing the football smarts on ball security (adept and transitioning ball from one arm to the other at key moments), and looks promising in a zone blocking scheme. Ideally a short yardage type of back that battles for tough yards, Williams also showcases the ability as a natural pass catcher out of the backfield with good hands and fair blocking skills, although very inconsistent blocking where at times it seems like he blocks on a wing and a prayer -- closing your eyes and launching yourself hoping for the best. Does not possess the blazing speed one would like to see for their starting running back in the NFL level, but is a solid change-of-pace back many teams will covet with the ability to play all three downs. Moreover, outstanding production.
Round Projection: 4th
WR Ryan Switzer, No. 3 (13), 5'10" - 185 lbs., 4.50 40 - (3rd) - North Carolina
Switzer's 2016 season stats: 96 receptions for 1,112 yards averaging 11.6 yards per reception with 6 touchdowns. 16 punt returns for 106 yards averaging 6.6 yards per return.
WR Ryan Switzer looks like a Wes Welker clone and has a game that is more dynamic than his popular comparison (he's more of a Tyler Lockett comparison to me). The former high school basketball and track star is a nightmare match-up for defenders with his amazing suddenness in and out of his breaks and his fast quick feet darting across the field like a jitter-bug making defenders miss. He is a fluid and sharp route runner with a clean technique and smoothness to his game. Switzer displays great bend on breaks popping out quickly with terrific athleticism, outstanding footwork, quickness, and erupting burst breaking away with impressive speed. He is a natural pass catcher with very strong soft reliable hands (terrific hand-eye coordination) extending arms to make the catch and excellent ball skills and is tough as nails. One of my favorite college wide receivers, Switzer is a dynamic explosive playmaker with excellent quickness and great speed. Although Switzer is only 5'10", he showcases superb ball skills, strong reliable hands, and a toughness to his game. There is not enough that can be said about his great route running, explosion off the line of scrimmage, tremendous change of direction skills, fluidity, the straight line speed to take the top off coverages, and the short area quickness (can make a defender miss in a phone booth) and terrific balance to gain separation selling routes with his impressive foot speed. A slot receiver at the next level, Switzer also bestows great vision, which gives him extra value in the return game - another electrifying aspect to his game.
Round Projection: 3rd
WR Josh Reynolds, No. 11 (81), 6'4" - 193 lbs., 4.52 40 - (3rd-4th) - Texas A&M
Reynolds' 2016 season stats: 61 receptions for 1,039 yards averaging 17.0 yards per reception with 12 touchdowns.
WR Josh Reynolds is a long, talented wide receiver with great deceptive speed (long strider) and is a smooth route runner with a fluid upper body. The former high school track star athlete possesses excellent length (6'4") and displays impressive leaping ability attacking the ball at its highest point utilizing excellent body control and ball skills. Extends his arms making the catch with soft hands, shows nice quick feet and fluid hips, and is quick in and out of his breaks creating separation with suddenness. Reynolds shows a willingness and aggressiveness as a downfield blocker who can adjust on the move.
Round Projection: 3rd-4th
WR Travin Dural, No. 83, 6'2" - 207 lbs., sub 4.4 40 - (4th) - LSU
Dural's 2016 season stats: 28 receptions for 280 yards averaging 10 yards per reception with 1 touchdown.
WR Travin Dural is a vertical threat downfield showcasing an impressive combination of size (6'2" - 207 lbs.), speed (sub 4.4 40), and athleticism. Although LSU is not a pass-happy offense, Dural showcases reliable hands, solid ball skills, excellent burst and acceleration after the catch, and a willingness to block on the edges. A standout high school track star, Dural is an explosive athlete with exceptional burst. Shows grit attacking balls in the middle of the field and at its highest point with very strong hands. Utilizes his impressive speed and athleticism to separate from defenders and is a work in progress as a route runner. Shows great ability as a downfield blocker.
Round Projection: 4th
WR Fred Ross, No. 8, 6'2" - 205 lbs., 4.58 40 - (4th) - Mississippi State
Ross' 2016 season stats: 73 receptions for 934 yards averaging 12.8 yards per reception with 12 touchdowns. 15 punt returns for 85 yards averaging 5.7 yards per return.
WR Fred Ross brings a good combination of size, explosion, athleticism, and toughness to the position. Shows versatility in his game lining up in the slot, split-end, as well as bringing value in the return game, Ross is a playmaking natural pass catcher with great hands, solid explosion off the line, nice ball skills, quality body control taking advantage of his length, athleticism, and physicality to win at the point of reception, and the ability to make plays after the catch running with great balance and vision earning solid yards after the catch -- displays an excellent ability taking a short pass and turning it into a big gain weaving through defenders breaking arm tackles.
Round Projection: 4th
TE O.J. Howard, No. 88, 6'6" - 251 lbs., 4.57 40 - (1st) - Alabama
Howard's 2016 season stats: 45 receptions for 595 yards averaging 13.2 yards per reception with 3 touchdowns.
TE O.J. Howard is a mismatch in the middle of the field and on the perimeter displaying an impressive combination of size (6'6" - 251 lbs.), speed, explosion, athleticism, and strength (benches 405 pounds and squats 500 pounds). A dangerous receiving weapon in the middle of the field, Howard can easily take advantage of defenses with his 4.57 speed up the seam, the suddenness to separate and get away from man coverage taking advantage of his impressive length and athleticism, finds holes in zone and squares up presenting a large target and catching radius for the quarterback, and extends hands away from the body to make the catch. Along with good catching and great YAC ability, his blocking has been steadily improving as well, where he shows an excellent base, platform, and hand positioning blocking inline, and athletic ability with agility to swing his hips blocking in space when detached.
Round Projection: 1st
TE Evan Engram, No. 17, 6'3" - 227 lbs., 4.64 40 - (3rd) - Ole Miss
Engram's 2016 seasons stats: 65 receptions for 926 yards averaging 14.2 yards per reception with 8 touchdowns.
TE Evan Engram is extremely athletic and explosive prospect, typically lining up all over the place (split out wide, slot, in-line, H-back) in the Rebels offense, which makes him a great candidate as a move tight end at the next level. The hybrid tight end showcases tremendous burst off the line of scrimmage, fluidity in route running, quickness in-and-out of breaks, amazing ball skills, impressive hands, explosiveness after the catch, and a nightmare match-up for any linebacker. His blocking skills are not too shabby either with good positioning and hand technique and tenacity to finish keeping his feet moving.
Round Projection: 3rd
OT Antonio Garcia, No. 53, 6'7" - 302 lbs., 5.04 40 - (2nd-3rd) - Troy
OT Antonio Garcia is an underrated long-limbed offensive tackle with an excellent combination of size, athleticism, length (large wingspan), quickness, foot speed, and strength. The former high school basketball star utilizes his long arms, sound hand technique, a quick first-step, fluid lateral quickness, balance, solid technique, and an impressive athletic ability to quick set easily mirroring defenders with suddenness and fluidity adjusting to movement sliding laterally and redirecting. Shows a great ability to anchor in pass protection dropping his weight and hips anchoring to engage power rushers. Plays with a natural knee bend, functional athleticism, and a fluidity that is truly impressive for a man his size. Displays great toughness and decent strength in the run game (needs to gain more functional strength) finishing blocks all the way to the whistle. Garcia has not allowed a sack all season in nearly 900 snaps, and he's credited with over 65 knockdown blocks this season. Garcia will immediately fill the swing tackle position for the 49ers giving competition to Zane Beadles and John Theus, and would eventually become the heir apparent to Joe Staley.
Round Projection: 2nd-3rd
OG Nico Siragusa, No. 56, 6'5" - 330 lbs., 5.37 40 - (4th) - San Diego State
OG Nico Siragusa is a massive big-bodied offensive lineman with great size (6'5" - 330 lbs.), strength, athleticism, instincts, and power. A true human road grader, Siragusa brings tremendous power and a strong base excelling in the run game driving defenders from the action, and the toughness finishing blocks all the way to the whistle. The former high school baseball and basketball athlete, also displays nimble feet (foot agility) for a man his size, showing his athletic ability in pass protection sliding laterally adjusting to movement. He has shown improvement in his game, particularly in pass protection, and will fit best in a power-based run scheme at the next level. Brings durability starting every single game the past two seasons.
Round Projection: 4th
C Ethan Pocic, No. 77, 6'7" - 302 lbs., 5.18 40 - (2nd-3rd) - LSU
C Ethan Pocic is one of the premier center prospects in college football and is a humongous athlete (in relation to position) with an excellent combination of size (6'7" - 302 pounds), length, strength, athleticism, balance, and a high football IQ. A long limbed leader on the field, Pocic is extremely athletic with excellent foot agility easily capable of snapping the football and firing off the ball moving laterally smoothly. Displays great change of direction for a man his size and blocks superbly in space reaching the second level with quickness and power. Shows great ability to read defenses and has tremendous football instincts. Plays with the toughness, nastiness, and grit of a guard finishing all the way to the whistle, and finishes blocks with great technique, power, and foot quickness. Stout at the point of attack and displays excellent ability to anchor the pocket, setting and maintaining the base of the pocket allowing the quarterback to step up in the pocket away from the trash. Brings versatility capable of playing all interior offensive lineman positions.
Round Projection: 2nd-3rd
Other South Offensive prospects of note:
QB Joshua Dobbs, No. 11, 6'3" - 208 lbs., 4.67 40 - (6th) - Tennessee
WR Taywan Taylor, No. 2 (82), 6'1" - 195 lbs., 4.54 40 - (4th) - Western Kentucky
WR Artavis Scott, No. 3, 5'11" - 190 lbs., 4.49 40 - (4th-5th) - Clemson
TE Gerald Everett, No. 12, 6'4" - 240 lbs., 4.68 40 - (3rd) - South Alabama
OT Conor McDermott, No. 68, 6'8" - 310 lbs., 5.27 40 - (2nd) - UCLA
OG/OT Forrest Lamp, No. 76, 6'4" - 300 lbs., 5.12 40 - (2nd) - Western Kentucky
OG/OT Jessamen Dunker, No. 66, 6'5" - 290 lbs., 5.16 40 - (4th) - Tennessee State
OG Isaac Asiata, No. 54, 6'3" - 323 lbs., 5.38 40 - (4th) - Utah
OG Danny Isidora, No. 63, 6'4" - 305 lbs., 5.29 40 - (6th) - Miami
C Jon Toth, No. 72, 6'5" - 310 lbs., 5.26 40 - (5th) - Kentucky