49ers Targets at the Combine: Thursday-Friday

Players projected in the top 25 are not listed.

Testing at the NFL Scouting Combine begins today. Here are some of the players the 49ers are expected to focus on in Indianapolis. Players projected in the top 25 are not listed.

Thursday 2-29: Defensive Line and Linebackers
A starting edge opposite Nick Bosa seems to be an annual priority. Youth in the defensive interior is also needed as Arik Armstead enters the final year of his contract. Linebacker could be addressed in free agency, but if not, it will be a need in this draft.

Top defensive linemen that the 49ers met with at Indy include Darius Robinson, Jonah Elliss, Austin Booker, Gabriel Murphy, Javon Solomon, McKinnley Jackson, and Maason Smith, marked below with an *.

Edge
1. Chop Robinson (Penn St) Twitchy, fast, and a likely star at the Combine.
2. *Darius Robinson (Missouri) Slow first step, needs to do well in the other drills.
3. Adisa Isaac (Penn St) Could run the fastest 40 and get a bump.
4. Marshawn Kneeland (W Mich) Will need to show speed for his size.
5. *Jonah Elliss (Utah) Prove speed, agility, and change of direction skills.
6. *Austin Booker (Kansas) Needs to prove strength, that’s the question on him.
7. *Gabriel Murphy (UCLA) Has tools but not elite athleticism.
8. *Javon Solomon (Troy) Undersized at 6-0/247, explosive, cuts well, athletic.

IDL
1. Kris Jenkins Jr. (Michigan) A freak that should test well and get a draft bump.
2. Leonard Taylor III (Miami) Power with athleticism, he should also rise.
3. Michael Hall Jr. (Ohio St) Great first step, power, and feet, but undersized.
4. Ruke Ohrororo (Clemson) Explosive but can stay blocked, needs to lift well.
5. *McKinnley Jackson (A&M) Great speed for his size (6-1/331), lacks balance.
6. Braden Fiske (Florida St) Good first step but his power is a question mark.
7. *Maason Smith (LSU) Great size, athleticism, and physicality at 6-6/315.

At linebacker, the Niners have met with Cedric Gray and Darius Muasau.

LB
1. Edgerrin Cooper (A&M) Blitzer and run-stuffer is the top-ranked LB.
2. Payton Wilson (NC St) Freak athlete with a long injury history, elite vs. pass.
3. Junior Colson (Michigan) Another freak with speed and power that should rise.
4. Jeremiah Trotter Jr. (Clemson) Undersized, his lifting numbers will be key.
5. *Cedric Gray (UNC) Run-pass LB has great feet and change of direction, a big hitter.
6. Trevin Wallace (Kentucky) Will rise at Indy, 22 MPH GPS, big vertical, power.
7. *Darius Muasau (UCLA) Undersized (5-11/234) high-motor player.

Friday 3-1: Defensive Backs and Tight Ends

Should the Niners hire Kansas City Defensive Backs Coach Dave Merritt that could change their priorities at DB. They met today with 1^st rounder Ennis Rakestraw Jr and Senior Bowl standout Andru Phillips. At safety, they’ve met with Calen Bullock, an athletic sure tackling center fielder, Sione Vaki, an undersized hitter, and Malik Mustapha, a plus athlete who reads the field effectively.

DB
1. Cooper DeJean (Iowa) Rehabbing leg injury, will work out before the draft.
2. *Ennis Rakestraw Jr. (Missouri) Sub 4.4 speed with hops, he’ll rise.
3. Kool-Aid McKinstry (Alabama) Needs to test well to get back into 1^st round.
4. T.J. Tampa (Iowa St) Expected to run fast at Indy, late 1^st-early 2^nd.
5. Kamari Lassiter (Georgia) At 6-0/180 he needs to power up.
6. Cam Hart (Notre Dame) Size/speed/skills should rise at Indy.
7. *D.J. James (Auburn) Undersized at 5-11/170, zone player, 10 pbu’s.
8. *Andru Phillips (Kentucky) Good not great athlete, played well at Mobile.

S
1. Tyler Nubin (Minnesota) Consensus top safety has speed and power.
2. Kam Kinchens (Miami) Good athlete but not elite, drills may reflect that.
3. Javon Bullard (Georgia) High motor with change of direction agility.
4. *Calen Bullock (USC) Long strider at 6-3/190, needs to bulk up.
5. Jaden Hicks (Wash St) Explosive 6-3/212 athlete should test well and rise.
6. *Sione Vaki (Utah) Long speed hitter, undersized at 5-11/211.
7. *Malik Mustapha (Wake Forest) Great athlete, smart, he can play S and DB.

John Lynch’s comments about the need for a 2^nd tight end have brought attention to the position. After drafting two TEs last year, to take another this year would speak volumes about Cam Latu. The 49ers have met with Jaheim Bell, Theo Johnson, Jared Wiley, and Isaac Rex. All are projeted for the third round or later.

TE
1, Ja’Tavion Sanders (Texas) Early-to-mid 2^nd freak athlete hoping to rise to late 1^st.
2. Ben Sinnott (K State) Smooth athlete, great blocker, but a bad drop history.
3. Johnny Wilson (Florida St) Great blocker, big size and catch radius, 10.9% drop rate.
4. *Jaheim Bell (Florida St) Speed, good receiver, willing blocker but lacks power.
5. *Theo Johnson (Penn St) Tall (6-6/257) and fast, contested catches, weak blocker.
6. *Jared Wiley (TCU) Money hands, solid blocker, slow.
7. *Isaac Rex (BYU) Track long jumper will test well, lacks strength.