Plus, a trio of SEC defenders.
We’re a little more than a week away from the NFL Draft, but that doesn’t mean the San Francisco 49ers are done with their 30 prospect visits.
One name that continues to pop up is Kentucky’s Andru Phillips, who will be in the Bay Area this week, per NFL Network’s Mike Garafolo. Phillips is viewed as a second-rounder. Mel Kiper Jr. believes he’s a nickel in the NFL and has mocked Phillips to the 49ers multiple times, including his most recent mock draft from Monday:
Kiper’s pick: Dru Phillips, CB, Kentucky
This is about beefing up a secondary that struggled at times at the end of last season. Phillips has high-ceiling physical tools after playing nearly 600 coverage snaps over his past two seasons.
After signing Rock Ya-Sin, I believe the 49ers took themselves out of the running for a defensive back in the second round.
Another position the 49ers are looking at is tight end. Ryan Fowler tweeted that the Niners have Iowa tight end Erick All scheduled.
All, with his size and skills, is exactly what the 49ers are looking for at the tight end position. The fifth-year senior, standing at 6’4, 252 pounds, is a shifty TE2 who competes as a blocker but will make his mark in the NFL as a pass-catching threat. He moves much better than most tight ends his size. Iowa gave him the ball on shovel passes, which tells you he is a real threat. The 49ers are confident in his abilities and believe he will be a valuable addition to the team.
That’s not the only tight end, as Aaron Wilson tweeted the 49ers have an interview with Kentucky tight end Brenden Bates, who is 6’5, 247 pounds. He tested well, running a 4.62 40-yard dash and had a 7.07 3-cone.
Two other prospects, both from the SEC, also have scheduled visits—Cornerback Decamerion Richardson from Mississippi State. Richardson is 6’2, 188 pounds, and ran a 4.34 40-yard dash. The 49ers likely gravitated toward his size-speed combo and Richardon’s tackling ability. But he’s projected to go on Day 3 of the draft, likely due to his issues when it comes to turning and running, as well as his instincts at the position.
The other player is linebacker Trevin Wallace from Kentucky. Wallace is a supreme athlete. He moves as easily as Dre Greenlaw and Fred Warner. Holding up and taking on blockers is a struggle, and his physicality wavers, but Wallace gets ball-carriers to the ground. He’d be a third round pick for the 49ers.
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