The NFL Scouting Combine is in the books, and there’s more than a few players that impressed and could be on the San Francisco 49ers radar.
The first big stop on the road to the NFL Draft is in the books, with the NFL Scouting Combine done and dusted.
The usual happened this year. Some prospects helped their stock, some hurt it and some potentially destroyed it like the proverbial torpedo into the battleship.
The San Francisco 49ers don’t have a pick for the first two rounds in the draft, but there is a bit of room to trade up. The team has three picks at the end of the third round and 10 picks overall, so given the strong composition of the team, it isn’t out of the question that it could make some moves.
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The Niners do have a few needs, however, depending on how free agency pans out. Center, right tackle, EDGE (not Nick Bosa, don’t worry), nickel back, safety and kicker are all positions that could see new starters in 2023.
Some of these will be filled in free agency, but not all. So there will be some positions that naturally will be of more interest to San Francisco.
It’s worth keeping in mind that the NFL Combine is only one part of the equation, of course. Team interviews and individual pro days will also play a big factor in where a player gets drafted. So, the 49ers might see some prospects climb out of reach or fall into their grasp, in theory.
Let’s take a look at who had an impressive week at the combine and could very well be on the Niners’ draft radar.
49ers Prospect No. 1: Zack Kuntz, Tight End, Old Dominion
Old Dominion tight end Zack Kuntz did his draft stock a lot of help with a strong Combine.
Kuntz had a lean year in 2022 with only 12 receptions for 144 yards and two touchdowns after playing only five games due to injury, but he’s only a season removed from 73 receptions for 692 yards and five touchdowns for the Monarchs in 2021 after transferring from Penn State.
With tight end one of the strongest positions in the NFL Draft class, Kuntz needed a big performance at the combine to get noticed by teams looking for some good value at the position.
Kuntz not only delivered, but he was also one of the more impressive players regardless of position.
Measuring in at 6-foot-7 and 255 pounds, Kuntz ran the 40-yard dash at an impressive 4.55 seconds. Players who are that tall and heavy should not be running that fast. He also demonstrated his athleticism, further recording 40 inches in the vertical jump.
Kuntz demonstrated further ability in the skill drills as well. He looked nice and fluid on the field, nabbing passes away from his body and showing some mismatch ability at the next level.
Kuntz is admittedly not the best blocker, which is something the 49ers want with the way it runs its offense, but head coach Kyle Shanahan has been desperate for a good tight end behind George Kittle to further bamboozle opposing defenses.
This prospect will need some development in regard to his blocking, but the Niners could very well use one of its three third-round picks to finally get a long-term fit alongside Kittle at the position.
49ers Prospect No. 2: Blake Freeland, Offensive Tackle, BYU
If Mike McGlinchey leaves in free agency and a veteran isn’t brought in to fill the void at right tackle, San Francisco is likely to use at least one pick to replenish the position. The team has a few tackles developing in Jaylon Moore and Nick Zakelj, but it’ll need to add more.
Blake Freeland had himself a good NFL Combine, showing off his athleticism with a 4.98-second 40-yard dash time and measuring in at 302 pounds and just at 6-foot-7 and 7/8 inches.
Freeland wasn’t perfect in the drills. His speed and lateral movement led him to impress at times, but he does have technique issues surrounding his footwork and pad level. He’ll need to learn to lower his base when facing NFL pass-rushers, or he’ll get too easily beaten.
The tools are there, though. Freeland isn’t someone who can start Week 1, but he can be a Day 3 developmental prospect who progresses to a starting level.
This’ll suit the 49ers fine as a team with plenty of Day 3 picks. He could even be an understudy to left tackle Trent Williams and be ready to start by the time Williams retires.
Freeland has the size and athleticism to be a left tackle in the NFL.
49ers Prospect No. 3: Jakorian Bennett, Cornerback, Maryland
The Niners finally have some stability at cornerback, but nickel back Jimmie Ward could very well leave the 49ers in free agency while Emmanuel Moseley is coming off an ACL tear. The 49ers could very well decide to spend one of their picks on someone to provide backup.
Jakorian Bennett is a versatile prospect who played outside cornerback, nickel and safety for Maryland. San Francisco deeply values versatility from its players, and Bennett could be a backup who fills a lot of needs while he develops for the next level.
A tad undersized at 5-foot-11 and 188 pounds, Bennett nevertheless ticks a lot of boxes for San Francisco with his versatility and willingness to tackle the ball carrier. He’s been productive at Maryland, too, with five interceptions and 22 passes defended in his past two seasons with the Terrapins.
Bennett had to make sure he ran well in the drills given he’s a bit undersized, and his 4.30 40-yard time will reassure teams he can run with the fastest receivers. That 4.30 time is third among all cornerbacks at the Combine this season.
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Bennett isn’t a perfect prospect of course, or else he wouldn’t be available for the 49ers to consider. He can sometimes be slow with the hips to run with receivers despite his straightline speed, which means he does tend to grab receivers which could get him flagged a lot in the NFL if that isn’t coached out. His aforementioned physical limitations might also be a concern.
But Bennett has definite versatility and upside, and definitely a player that the 49ers can consider in the draft.