Niner Noise
FanSided

5 players 49ers should be watching in the 2023 Senior Bowl

By Peter Panacy

Defensive End Janarius Robinson #96 from Florida State of the American Team is defended by Tackle James Hudson III #55 from Cincinnati from the National Team (Photo by Don Juan Moore/Getty Images)
Defensive End Janarius Robinson #96 from Florida State of the American Team is defended by Tackle James Hudson III #55 from Cincinnati from the National Team (Photo by Don Juan Moore/Getty Images) /
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Payne Durham, Purdue, Kaevon Merriweather, Iowa
National tight end Payne Durham of Purdue (87) practices with National defensive back Kaevon Merriweather of Iowa (26) Mandatory Credit: Vasha Hunt-USA TODAY Sports /

Tight End. Boilermakers . Payne Durham. 4. player. 848.

49ers prospect No. 4: Tight end: Payne Durham, Purdue

Another offseason, another time for the 49ers to seek out a complementary tight end to pair with the All-Pro, George Kittle.

The Niners appear poised to move on from tight end Ross Dwelley this offseason, and Charlie Woerner hasn’t exactly taken over as a quality No. 2 option.

Fortunately, the 2023 NFL Draft has plenty of tight end options, and one has to figure that there’ll be a solid contingency plan to help supplement the depth chart behind Kittle.

Especially if it involves Purdue tight end Payne Durham, who was quite the standout during practices leading up to the Senior Bowl game itself.

Durham might have been an early day-three prospect before the Senior Bowl, but he certainly lofted himself into day-two consideration, potentially working himself into the second round.

However, when it comes to the combination of pass-catching and run-blocking abilities, the 6-foot-5, 258-pound Durham has it.