With the annual Reese’s Senior Bowl coming up, Niner Noise looks at potential draft prospects playing in the game the San Francisco 49ers should look at.
Every year there is a lesser-known prospect that plays at a high level in the Senior Bowl and catches NFL scouts by storm. Last year, it was wide receiver Zay Jones. Two years ago, it was quarterback Dak Prescott. Three years ago, it was running back Ameer Abdullah.
All three are starting for their NFL teams now.
The thing about the Senior Bowl is that it is chock full of draft sleepers who have spent four years or more in college to prepare for the league as much as they can. They do not lack experience, and because of that, it makes for a surprisingly entertaining showing for scouts and fans alike every year.
The San Francisco 49ers snagged an excellent rookie class last year that was crucial to the foundation of their late-season success. Here are five prospects playing in the Senior Bowl the 49ers should look at to add to an already great youth movement.
No. 5: Outside Linebacker Uchenna Nwosu
I’ll never forget standing on the USC sideline at the Pac-12 Championship in Levi’s Stadium on a 4th-and-goal situation for Stanford to take the lead over USC in the fourth quarter. The Cardinal was just inches away from the treasured goal line, and the entire stadium had this indescribable atmosphere of anxiety.
The running back took the handoff, and looked like a lock to make it into the promised land, but suddenly USC outside linebacker Uchenna Nwosu came flying in from the outside of the line, bringing the back down short of the end zone, making a crucial play that eventually helped USC earn a close win.
Nwosu is a linebacker that has great speed and awareness that makes him an underrated piece of the USC defense. He can rush the passer and stop running backs with ease, but is not well known due to being shadowed by star USC linebackers Cameron Smith and Porter Gustin. Nwosu will most likely be taken on day three of the NFL Draft as a result, but he has a real chance to make an impressive showing in the Senior Bowl to change that.
Ever since he was drafted, outside linebacker Eli Harold has shown nothing that warrants him staying on the team, or even belonging in the league.
Drafting Nwosu in one of the later rounds would automatically dramatically improve the team’s pass rush from the outside linebacker position. The 49ers would be wise to look into him at the Senior Bowl.
No. 4: Wide Receiver James Washington
James Washington will be the only player on the list that is not a draft sleeper, per se. The 2017 Biletnikoff winner will most likely come off the board in the second round, and for good reason.
Washington is relatively short at 6-foot flat, but he makes up for it with his explosion on the field. He runs great routes, has amazing hands and possesses great speed. I would like to see him create more separation from his defenders, but he has all the tools to fix that with enough practice.
What I noticed about Washington is that he tracks the ball exceptionally well, which is extremely important while going on a deep route or attempting to make a contested catch. Once he enters the league, I have no doubt that he will be a force to be reckoned with and prove to be an immediate threat to opposing secondaries.
I’ve been known for saying that the 49ers need big receivers, but Washington’s well-roundedness makes me a huge believer in him. He would immediately find success in Kyle Shanahan’s offense with Jimmy Garoppolo throwing the ball to him. If Washington falls to the 49ers at the end of the second round, I would be just fine if John Lynch decides to take him.
No. 3: Running Back Royce Freeman
Ever since the NFL regular season ended, I have been seeing Royce Freeman’s name pop up on various draft sleeper reports, so naturally I had to check out what the hype surrounding him was about.
Immediately after I started watching tape, he reminded me of Atlanta Falcons running back Devonta Freeman, whom Kyle Shanahan worked with in 2015 to 2017. They both have similar small frames and have a natural knack for running inside zone.
Royce Freeman displayed great ball-carrier vision and breakaway speed. I would like to see more power from his runs, but he was able to break most first tackle attempts.
The reason the 49ers and us fans alike should watch him closely in the Senior Bowl is that he was greatly assisted by a very solid Oregon offensive line that paved the way for his big games. He will not have that line anymore at the Senior Bowl, and I want to see him prove that he can still be a quality running back without his Ducks blocking for him.
And if he does, I could easily see him taking over for Carlos Hyde as starting running back.
No. 2: Cornerback Kameron Kelly
The only reason SDSU cornerback Kameron Kelly is considered a draft sleeper is because of his move from safety to cornerback during his senior season, giving him a small sample size at the position.
Kelly has everything you want in a cornerback. He measures in at 6-foot-2 and 200 pounds, is physical on the field and can play great coverage on receivers and tight ends, allowing defensive coordinators to feel comfortable playing zone coverage when the tight end is lined up on the outside.
Cornerback is the 49ers’ most pressing need right now, and John Lynch needs to keep his eye on Kelly during the Senior Bowl. If he does, he will like what he sees and end up picking up a very solid player to build the team’s secondary around.
No. 1: Wide Receiver Jaleel Scott
I think that Jaleel Scott is the best pure pass catcher in the draft. His concentration and hands are simply remarkable, and his 6-foot-5 frame makes it easy for him to catch any ball he wants.
However, there is a reason that he is being projected to go in the later rounds of the draft, and no, it is not just because he goes to a small school in New Mexico State. I have noticed while watching tape that he does not consistently create enough separation from his defenders, which is honestly a red flag for Kyle Shanahan’s offense.
However, the 49ers are in desperate need of big targets, and for Scott, getting separation frankly doesn’t even matter that much. He’ll catch the ball in most situations even when coverage on him is tight.
With his size and hands, the potential for Scott knows no bounds, and I am excited to see what he shows to John Lynch and Shanahan in the Senior Bowl.
Next: PFF mocks EDGE Bradley Chubb to 49ers in NFL Draft
If I was Lynch, I wouldn’t hesitate to use a late-round pick on a player like him with such massive potential.