49ers Combine Preview: Defense
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Fans are hoping the 49ers make a significant trade up in the draft. However, combine all of the 49ers picks this year and they would only move up to No. 52 per the standard draft trade value chart. A move into the Top 50 would require 2024 picks, which is unlikely when next year is projected to be a deeper and more talented draft. A move up is probably limited to the top 75, and even that’s a stretch.
This position preview for the draft on defense will include some trade-up targets. Defensive backs and special teams tested Friday. Quarterbacks, wide receivers and tight ends tested on Saturday, running backs and offensive linemen on Sunday. Players the Niners have interviewed are listed in all caps.
Defensive Tackle
Seven 49ers defensive linemen are free agents, so the team will look at several targets from a run stuffer to replace D.J. Jones, to versatile DL hybrids and speed edges. Doubling down on DL seems likely.
Trade Up:
1. Mazi Smith (Michigan) 6-3/323. My defensive draft crush and No. 1 on Bruce Feldman’s athletic freaks list. He’s dropped 14 pounds. At Indy, Smith led all defensive linemen with 34 bench press reps at 225. He’ll do the rest of his testing at Michigan’s pro day on the March 17. Smith forces double teams inside and pursues to the sideline, which the Niners need vs. Philly and Kansas City. He’s downgraded for traits over production but that was the knock on Rashan Gary - another No. 1 Freak.
2. ZACCH PICKENS (SOUTH CAROLINA) 6-4/291. Pickens ran 4.89 and tested well to the point where he’s probably moved above the Niners draft range. 22 bench reps. The DT class is thin so players will move up.
3. DANTE STILLS (WEST VIRGINIA) 6-3/286. Stills ran fast for his size at 4.85. He has a quick get off, a good spin move, and uses his hands effectively. He had five sacks this year. Only 20 bench reps, he needs to add power.
4. BYRON YOUNG (ALABAMA) 6-3/294. There are two Byron Youngs, the edge from Tennessee who ran 4.43, and the DT from Alabama. Tide Young is a late pick, he has a high motor, an effective bull rush, and plays with good leverage. He lacks agility. 24 bench reps.
5. DESJUAN JOHNSON (TOLEDO) 6-2/270. Great burst off the snap, fast pursuit, closes well. Excellent in Shrine Game practices. 16 TFL, 5.5 sacks. Played with Sam Womack at Toledo.
Edge
This class is a fast group, excellent 40 times have pushed edges and DE-DT hybrids up the board. That’s bad news for the Niners, who are specifically looking for a speed edge in the Dee Ford mold. They may have to turn to free agency for a starter and look for sleepers in the draft for depth.
Trade Up:
1. Adetomiwa Adebawore (Northwestern) 6-2/284. Quick get off, converts speed to power, ran a very-fast-for-his-size 4.49, sure tackler. Freaks List No. 30. Explosive and agile. Tweener that can see time inside and outside.
2. Derick Hall (Auburn) 6-3/254. Known for his toughness. Ideal frame, long and explosive. High character leader. 4.55 40. Effective at pursuing scrambling QBs, closes well. Too tight in his movement, doesn’t shed blocks well.
3. Nick Hampton (Appalachian State) 6-3-/235. Bendy, fast off edge, 34 arms. Finishes well. 4.65.
4. IKENNA ENUCHAKWU (RICE) 6-4/264. Hybrid that’s more of a DT. Bull rusher with upper body power but lacks technique and moves.
5. ISAIAH MCGUIRE (MISSOURI) 6-4/268. Combines get off burst and upper body power. High motor. 7 sacks. Needs technique work on his hands and moves, lacks agility and overall strength.
Linebacker
By defining a specific skill set for the position, the Niners can pursue speed and violence exclusively and get diamonds later in the draft, making a trade up unnecessary.
1. MOHAMOUD DIABATE (UTAH) 6-4/229. ex-Florida. Fast and accelerates, shoots the gaps well, flows to the ball, quick and agile, good in coverage. Everything 49ers Linebacker Coach Johnny Holland wants.
2. CAM JONES (INDIANA) 6-1/226. Plays downhill, identifies and closes well. Three hits, three QB hurries, and two sacks as a blitzer in just five games. 4.65 40. Needs to add strength to shed blocks.
3 JALEN GRAHAM (PURDUE) 6-0/213. Hybrid LB/Safety, a physical hitter, explosive at shooting the gap. 71.7 rating against in pass coverage. Lacks tackling technique, needs lower leverage and better wrap up.
Defensive Back
A draft investment here makes sense for depth, and to leverage Defensive Coordinator Steve Wilks, one of the league’s best at developing corners and safeties. This DB class is exceptionally deep, 15 corners may go by the end of the third, so trading up is unlikely.
1. DARIUS RUSH (SOUTH CAROLINA) 6-2/198. He may have run away from the Niners with his 4.36 40 elevating him in the draft. Hybrid CB/S who can cover and defend the run. Aggressive hitter, blitzer. Needs work on reads and being too handsy in coverage.
2. Tyrique Stevenson (Miami) 6-1/198. Great size/athleticism mix. Can play press and recover. 4.45 speed. Has all the physical skills, needs coaching on balance, transitions, and reads.
3. Arqon Bush (Cincinnati) 6-0/187. Limited athletically at 4.54 but a playmaker with nine career interceptions and 32 passes defensed. Great instincts. Special teams star with two blocked kicks.
4. RILEY MOSS (IOWA) 6-1/192. Can play corner or safety. 4.45. No. 19 on the Freaks list. 42-inch vertical, fastest short shuttle in Iowa history. 11 picks and 26 pass breakups in his career. Great feet and hips but he plays too far off the receiver.
5. MEKHI BLACKMON (USC) 5-11/178. 4.47. WR ball skills in tracking and high-pointing the ball, but tight hips hurt him in transition. Weak tackler.
Safety
A pick here seems likely as the Niners have taken five interviews. This safety class has ball skills but is not overwhelming athletically. That’s a break for the Niners as players haven’t moved up after testing. Talanoa Hufanga is the new 49ers blueprint at safety, the slow playmaker. Ball skills are valued. Finally.
1. JI’AYIR BROWN (PENN STATE) 5-11/203. Ten interceptions career. Slow 40 at 4.65 but a fast 10 at 1.56. He closes and recovers. Team leader with competitive greatness. In the Rose Bowl, he had a pick, 1.5 sacks, and eight tackles. High motor, smooth, smart. Needs work on his eye discipline and tackling.
2. J.L. SKINNER (BOISE STATE) 6-4/209. Seven picks career, last year allowed a QB rating of just 37.8 when targeted. He has a torn pectoral muscle so he's not at Indy. Tracks the ball well and makes a play on it. 4.55 but has a closing burst. Enforcer. Needs work on reads and shedding blocks.
3. JAMMIE ROBINSON (FLORIDA STATE) 5-11/191. Thrives downhill, anticipates and closes well, but tends to play behind and then try to time the play. Lacks length and speed (4.59).
4. TYREQUE JONES (BOISE STATE) 6-2/195. Good size, closes well, best used as a box safety. Has trouble in transition with his hips and body. 4.52 40.
5. DANIEL SCOTT (CAL) 6-1/208. Six interceptions in two years. Experienced but relatively old at 25. Solid tackler, played multiple roles, special teams star.
Kicker
With Robbie Gould gone, and the team having trouble kicking into the end zone, this may be an opportunity to go young looking for a powerful leg with reliable accuracy.
Jake Moody (Michigan) – Kicked a 59-yarder vs. TCU in the national semifinal. Converted on 83% of FGs including 3-7 from 50+ and 72% in the 40s. Hit over 92% of his FGs in 2021. Good hang time on kickoffs but not a booming leg.
B.T. Potter (Clemson)
Over 76% of his kickoffs were touchbacks. 9-13 from 50+ career, but none over 55. Only 70% from 30-49 yards career.
