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The 2021 NFL Draft is a little more than two months away. Several colleges will hold their pro days next month to give NFL teams a close-up look at some of the prospects.
The San Francisco 49ers have some positions of need that they will try and fill at the draft. General manager John Lynch and head coach Kyle Shanahan are already doing their homework as they look to add pieces that will help the Niners get back into Super Bowl contention next season.
Justin Melo of The Draft Network (and SB Nation’s Titans site, Music City Miracles) has done a great job filling us in on which teams have been in contact with individual prospects. Melo reports that San Francisco has been in consistent contact with University of Miami tight end Brevin Jordan.
#Miami TE Brevin Jordan has met with several NFL teams via Zoom, but he lists the following as the teams he has consistently heard from: #Packers, #Patriots, #49ers, #Seahawks & #Chiefs.
— Justin M (@JustinM_NFL) February 23, 2021
There's a TON of interest in him, & it's easy to see why once you turn the tape on #NFLDraft
Lynch and co. could look to add another tight end to play alongside superstar George Kittle. Jordan had 38 receptions for 576 yards and touchdowns with the Hurricanes last season. The 49ers also have tight ends Ross Dwelley and Charlie Woerner under contract for 2021, while veteran Jordan Reed is slated to become a free agent.
One area the Niners will certainly address this offseason is the secondary. With nine players from the unit up for free agency, Lynch and Shanahan will more than likely use one of their selections on the back line of the defense.
Melo says San Francisco held a virtual meeting with Oregon cornerback Deommodore Lenoir.
#Oregon CB Deommodore Lenoir
— Justin M (@JustinM_NFL) February 24, 2021
has recently met virtually with the #Patriots, #Colts, #Panthers & #49ers.
Lenoir finished his Oregon career with 27 PBUs & 6 INTs and made 34 straight starts. #NFLDraft
Lenoir, a senior, finished the 2020 campaign with 30 tackles, one interception and a forced fumble. He’s listed at 5’11, 195 pounds. Michael Renner of Pro Football Focus wrote a piece looking at the NFL prospects from every NFL team and chose Lenoir from Oregon.
Lenoir is a physical corner at 5-foot-11, 195 pounds. He may end up at safety in the NFL because of that and because of his limited length/athleticism combination. In his entire Oregon career, he’s missed only eight tackles on 137 attempts. He’s also been one of the most accomplished cornerbacks in press coverage over the course of his career. He’s likely an early Day 3 guy at this point.
Staying with the Pac-12, Melo also says the Niners held a virtual meeting with Oregon State running back Jamar Jefferson. As a junior, Jefferson rank for 858 yards and seven touchdowns in six games last season, earning first-team All-Pac-12 honors. San Francisco hasn’t selected a running back since 2017, when it took Joe Williams in the fourth round.
Jefferson is ranked No. 273 in PFF’s top 300 big board.
Melo previously reported that a few prospects said they had a “great” meeting with the 49ers at last month’s Super Bowl. Cornerbacks Benjamin St. Juste of Minnesota and Darren Hall said their meeting with the Niners went particularly well, as did Ohio State defensive lineman Jonathon Cooper.
Because of the pandemic, the lead up to the draft will be different than it would under normal circumstances. The NFL’s rules state that teams can hold up to five one-hour virtual calls with individual prospects.
Which prospect from the names mentioned above excites you the most?