5 Senior Bowl prospects the 49ers should target in the 2018 NFL Draft
By Joseph Naki
The San Francisco 49ers are looking to improve their once-dreadful roster by pinpointing young talented players from the 2018 Senior Bowl leading up to the NFL Draft. Here are five players from the game the Niners can target.
On the heels of yet another successful Senior Bowl down in Mobile, Alabama, general manager John Lynch of the revered San Francisco 49ers made sure that he and his staff were in attendance to take in the much anticipated bowl game.
Lynch, in search for his first Super Bowl as a 49er, knows he needs exceptional athletes in the locker room in order to execute his business plan of winning NFL championships to perfection.
Taking a look forward of what could be an amazing class of athletes to join the 49ers in 2018, this year’s Senior Bowl offered a wealth of young talent that would easily address depth chart needs, supply an infusion of youth into an aging roster, and propel the franchise onto a road the 49ers know too well in their history — the road to greatness!
The cornerstone to the 2018 NFL Draft class would be to first sign quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo to a long-term deal. Understanding the importance of a franchise QB running your team, Lynch is working extremely hard to lock in the 49ers QB of its future and the face of the organization moving forward.
Assuming Lynch secures Garoppolo’s signature, he now has the unadulterated task to make his team athletic, physical and compliant with 49ers football. Mainly focusing on mid- to late-round picks, below are the top five Senior Bowl players that should be targeted, or at the very least, heavily considered to be a part of the scarlet and gold.
BRADLEY BOZEMAN, OC, ALABAMA
Logging in 30 career starts at the University of Alabama, Bozeman, 6-foot-5 and carrying a solid 317 pounds to his massive frame, would add immediate depth to the center position currently open for the taking.
Daniel Kilgore, an unrestricted free agent will more than likely be re-signed by the 49ers. Depth at the position is of true concern, but not one of serious worry. Signing Kilgore would give Lynch a stopgap option, while Lynch directs his attention to Bozeman.
According to Walter Football, Bozeman may have to wait for the third day to hear his name called. Viewed as a fourth- to sixth-round prospect, Bozeman may be a player Lynch has circled on his draft board as a “must get” guy in the later rounds.
J’MON MOORE, WR, MISSOURI
Coming in at 6-foot-3 and 209 pounds, wide receiver J’Mon Moore brings ability to get open against superb athletes.
The SEC is filled with NFL talent in its secondaries, and with Moore’s innate ability to get open and get gone, he has absolutely proven he can play in the NFL. In his junior and senior seasons combined, Moore has accumulated 127 receptions for 2,094 yards with 18 touchdowns to his credit.
Phil Savage, former general manager for the Cleveland Browns has depicted Moore as an outstanding talent, but has to improve on his dropped passes. In an interview with the Kansas City Star, Savage says, “He’s a height-weight-speed prospect, a guy that can really fly.”
Obviously Moore has some drop issues to take care of, but it’s his upside and ceiling that has the scouts and GM’s really optimistic in landing this kid in the draft. Lynch would have to address head coach Kyle Shanahan’s offensive scheme, and a strong wide out would certainly fit Shanahan’s plans.
SEAN WELSH, C/RG, IOWA
With 35 collegiate career games under his girth, Iowa offensive lineman Sean Welsh brings to the table, versatility, outstanding character and a vicious demeanor on the football field.
Welsh is a natural right guard, but can move outside to tackle without much difficulty. Looking at Welsh, he also has the ability to play center as well.
According to analysts, Welsh is projected to come off the board in the fourth round. However, with his recent admission of suffering with depression, some teams may unfortunately drop him down on their big boards.
Lynch and the 49ers has to navigate third-year pro Joshua Garnett’s knee injury as that situation is murky at best.
It would only make sense to bring an instant need on the depth chart, and for the value, a pick in the late rounds wouldn’t hurt the 49ers with selecting Welsh.
UCHENNA NWOSU, EDGE, USC
In his four-year career at USC, Uchenna Nwosu claimed his place among edge rushers as one of the best in college football.
Recording 94 solo tackles, 12.5 sacks with 9.5 coming in his senior year, and logging a respectful 20.5 tackles for loss as a Trojan, Nwosu no doubt is ready for the NFL ranks.
A solid 40 time of 4.6, or better, at the NFL Scouting Combine would certainly catapult Nwosu in the NFL Draft. According to NFLDraftScout.com, Nwosu holds a second-round grade, but some scouts grade him a third-round talent, due to his speed. It is unclear if Nwosu will attend his pro day, so he will certainly have to prove himself at the combine.
Nwosu plays with a chip on his shoulder, holds little regard to his opponents physicality, and his football acumen is off the charts. Lynch should target this young man with the second-round pick in mind, as Uchenna’s attributes are 49ers worthy. Edge rusher is a position defensive coordinator Robert Saleh desperately needs, and Uchenna would certainly be a welcomed addition to Saleh’s 4-3 scheme. Uchenna may be a terrific fit.
JAMARCUS KING, CB, SOUTH CAROLINA
Possibly slotted as a seventh-round pick or possible free agent, South Carolina’s Jamarcus King is a hard-hitting corner bringing bad intentions on every down. King is good in space with a keen nose for the football when it’s in the air.
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Lynch and staff may want to add another corner for depth purposes in late rounds, and King would certainly be an option. The last two years as a Gamecock, King played in 26 games, accruing 97 tackles, 86 solo tackles, with 12 breakups and five interceptions. Fearless in nature, King brings an attitude the 49ers surely could use in its secondary.
Lynch, no doubt, has to address the corner position in the early rounds, as corner is a definitive need for the 49ers in this NFL Draft. No. 1 corner Ahkello Witherspoon is proving to be a welcomed addition to the secondary, now he needs a counterpart to help him out on the perimeter.
Next: 49ers' Post-Super Bowl LII 7-round mock for the 2018 NFL Draft
In the next segment, linebackers will be the focus of conversation, in terms of breaking down which athlete will better serve Saleh’s 4-3 Under, Cover 3 scheme.