49ers: 5 college players to watch for the 2020 NFL Draft

5 college players the 49ers should watch for the 2020 NFL Draft

CHARLOTTE, NC - DECEMBER 01: Isaiah Simmons #11 of the Clemson Tigers reacts against the Pittsburgh Panthers in the second quarter during their game at Bank of America Stadium on December 1, 2018 in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Photo by Grant Halverson/Getty Images) /

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As I type this, the standoff between kicker Robbie Gould and the 49ers has not been resolved.

At best, it seems all the Niners can hope for is Gould signing his franchise tender, kicks for the 49ers one last season and then the standoff happens all over again.

San Francisco might decide to look at a cheaper and younger option at kicker. Rodrigo Blankenship might be the best kicker in this upcoming draft.

Blankenship hit 19-from-23 for the Georgia Bulldogs last season, backing up his 20-from-23 the previous season and his 14-from-18 season the year before that to be 53-from-64 his entire Bulldogs career. He’s also converted all of his 154 extra-point attempts.

He can hit kicks from 50-plus yards with his leg power, too.

Blankenship looks a steady candidate for the 49ers, who showed with their 2019 NFL Draft selection of Australian-born punter Mitch Wishnowsky that they’re perfectly happy to make sure they spend whatever pick it takes to address special teams.

If the Gould situation isn’t resolved by the end of the season, look for the 49ers to seek a better resolution elsewhere.