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49ers 2020 NFL Draft needs: 3 late-round tight ends to target

By Peter Panacy

NEW ORLEANS, LA - JANUARY 13: Tight End Thaddeus Moss #81 of the LSU Tigers raises his arms in victory after the College Football Playoff National Championship game against the Clemson Tigers at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome on January 13, 2020 in New Orleans, Louisiana. LSU defeated Clemson 42 to 25. (Photo by Don Juan Moore/Getty Images)
NEW ORLEANS, LA - JANUARY 13: Tight End Thaddeus Moss #81 of the LSU Tigers raises his arms in victory after the College Football Playoff National Championship game against the Clemson Tigers at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome on January 13, 2020 in New Orleans, Louisiana. LSU defeated Clemson 42 to 25. (Photo by Don Juan Moore/Getty Images) /
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Colby Parkinson, Stanford Cardinal
Tight end Colby Parkinson (84) of the Stanford Cardinal (Photo by Steve Dykes/Getty Images) /

Colby Parkinson. 2. player. 871. . Tight End. Cardinal

It’s hard to ignore the connection between John Lynch and his alma mater, Stanford. And every year, there seems to be at least one or two prospects linked to the 49ers because of this.

While Kyle Shanahan’s offense finally blossomed last year, the Niners still had more than their share of red-zone struggles and generally lack big-bodied weapons to excel in this area. To create more mismatches, a player like Stanford tight end Colby Parkinson should be on the radar.

At 6-foot-7 and 252 pounds, Parkinson is a mismatch nightmare even if he merely stands in place within the end zone and stays put.

Unlike Stephen Sullivan, however, Parkinson was far more productive at the college level, particularly with an impressive seven-touchdown 2018 campaign:

Colby Parkinson Receiving & Rushing Table
Receiving Rushing Scrimmage
Year School Conf Class Pos G Rec Yds Avg TD Att Yds Avg TD Plays Yds Avg TD
*2017 Stanford Pac-12 FR TE 6 10 97 9.7 4 0 0 0 10 97 9.7 4
*2018 Stanford Pac-12 SO TE 13 29 485 16.7 7 0 0 0 29 485 16.7 7
2019 Stanford Pac-12 JR TE 12 48 589 12.3 1 0 0 0 48 589 12.3 1
Career Stanford 87 1171 13.5 12 0 0 0 87 1171 13.5 12

Provided by CFB at Sports Reference: View Original Table
Generated 4/2/2020.

Like Sullivan, though, Parkinson isn’t exactly a known blocker, especially in run support, and that’ll likely limit his early usage to specific packages where short-area completions are needed. In that regard, Parkinson can find success right away.

Despite being versatile enough to line up all over the field, Parkinson’s 4.77 40-yard time at the NFL Combine was a bit of a disappointment.

That number, combined with the relative lack of physical prowess, likely stand to make Parkinson no better than a fifth-round NFL Draft target for a team like the 49ers.