49ers’ most intriguing pick of 2023 NFL Draft: TE Brayden Willis, Oklahoma
It was awfully tempting to put linebacker Dee Winters, whom San Francisco grabbed in Round 6 out of TCU, in this particular spot of most intriguing. He’s an excellent coverage backer and probably a long-term replacement for Dre Greenlaw at some point.
That said, Winters has a bona fide role ahead of him that isn’t too interesting right now: a No. 3 linebacker.
Instead, former Oklahoma tight end Brayden Willis has to be viewed as the most interesting selection the 49ers made.
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Willis, who met with the Niners at the NFL Combine, can play a number of different positions in an H-back sort of way. Whether it’s in the slot, outside or as an inline target, the 6-foot-3 and 241-pounder helps epitomize just how deep this year’s NFL Draft class was at tight end.
Granted, while Willis carries a lot of versatility, he’s also not particularly excellent in any one particular area.
Although San Francisco is probably the best landing spot for gadget-type players, and Willis fits that mold perfectly.