49ers NFL scouting combine watch guide

Posted By on March 2, 2023

The NFL scouting combine is about to get into high gear as the on-field workouts begin at Lucas Oil Stadium.

For the second consecutive season Kyle Shanahan and his staff will not be attending. San Francisco will have the front office and scouting department on hand with the coaching staff watching drills and attending meetings with players online.

Although San Francisco currently will not select until the end of round three, the 49ers have ten picks to bolster their roster.

Here is the schedule and what 49ers fans should focus on each day.

West Virginia Mountaineers defensive lineman Dante Stills (55) rushes the edge against Iowa State Cyclones.

Thursday: Defensive linemen and linebackers (3 p.m. Pacific start time)

While San Francisco is well stocked at linebacker, they have several spots to fill along the defensive line.

Finding an edge rusher opposite Nick Bosa is a top priority this offseason. The 49ers hope a full NFL offseason will help Drake Jackson be that player after grabbing the former USC pass rusher in the second round last year.

In the middle the 49ers have veterans Arik Armstead, Javon Kinlaw, and Kevin Givens returning.

Kalia Davis, a sixth round pick last season, will look to make the team after spending 2022 on the NFI list due to a knee injury. Davis is similar in build to former 49ers defensive tackle D.J. Jones.

Interior defensive linemen to watch include: Mazi Smith, Adetomiwa Adebawore, Keione Wright, Zacch Pickens, and Dante Stills.

Edge rushers to keep an eye on: Nick Herbig, Viliami Fehoko, Karl Brooks, Thomas Incoom, Nick Hampton.

Alabama safety Jordan Battle

Friday: Defensive backs and special teams (3 p.m. Pacific start time)

The 49ers look set with Charvarius Ward. Deommodore Lenoir and Samuel Womack have the ability to play in the slot or on the edge. Emmanuel Moseley is a possibility to return if the free agent market doesn’t work out. Ambry Thomas started several games in 2021 but seemed to fall out of favor with the coaching staff.

Talanoa Hufanga was an All-Pro in his first season as a starter. However, the other safety spot is the one position San Francisco does not have a young player looking to break into the lineup.

San Francisco will have an eye on kickers during the combine with Robbie Gould set to be a free agent.

Cornerbacks to watch: Kelee Ringo, Clark Phillips III, DJ Turner, Starling Thomas V.

Safeties to keep an eye on: JL Skinner, Karl Brooks, Jordan Battle, Jammie Robinson.

Prospects at kicker include Jake Moody, Andre Szmyt, and Will Reichard.

BROOKINGS, SD – NOVEMBER 20: Tucker Kraft #85 of the South Dakota State Jackrabbits leaps over the goal line for a touchdown against the North Dakota Fighting Hawks at Dana J. Dykhouse Stadium on November 20, 2021 in Brookings, South Dakota. (Photo by Dave Eggen/Inertia)

Saturday: Quarterbacks, wide receivers, and tight ends (1 p.m. Pacific start time)

Uncertainty around Brock Purdy’s availability makes it likely the 49ers will look to draft a quarterback for the third consecutive year.

San Francisco has five receivers set for 2023.

While the 49ers are unlikely to add a receiver through the draft, going with a tight end makes a lot of sense.

The only tight end currently signed for 2023 other than George Kittle is Charlie Woerner. Let’s be real, Woerner does not have good hands and is a mediocre blocker.

Quarterbacks to watch include Jake Haener, Aidan O’Connell, Max Duggan, Dorian Thompson-Robinson.

Tight end prospects include Tucker Kraft, McCallum Castles, Luke Schoonmaker, Josh Whyle

North Dakota State tackle Cody Mauch

Sunday: Running backs and offensive linemen (1 p.m. Pacific start time)

Mike McGlinchey is expected to test the free agent market. The right tackle is among the best in the game and is projected to be out of the 49ers price range.

In house candidates to replace McGlinchey include Colton McKivitz and Daniel Brunskill.

The 49ers also could be looking for a center. Jake Brendel stepped into the starting lineup in 2022. In his first full year as the starter, Brendel performed well enough to be named an alternate for the Pro Bowl.

Brendel’s price tag may be within the 49ers budget. If it’s not San Francisco may look to 2022 draft pick Nick Zakelj to step in. Daniel Brunskill could be an option here as well.

Offensive lineman to keep an eye on: Joe Tippman, Olesgun Oluywatimi, Ricky Stromberg, Cody Mauch, McClendon Curtis, Wanya Morris, Blake Freeland.

This article has 18 Comments

  1. Jack,
    I have read that Clayton Tune was invited to the combine but I can’t find whether he is attending or not. I love Tune every thing I have read about him makes him sound like Brock Purdy 2.0 other than he played in a run and shoot system. What do you think of Tune?

  2. Jack,
    Thanks for presenting these potential 49ers draft picks. It allows me to find more intel such as college videos of them.

    An interesting thing you mentioned struck a nerve with me. By not showing up at the combine, does Shanahan miss an opportunity to personally meet with these and other potential draft picks? I like that Shanahan trusts his scouting team, but I see Andy Reid at the combine and it makes me wonder why Shanahan isn’t there.

    1. AES,
      Only 11 teams have their HCs there. Evidently the last 2 combines were under covid rules and teams send their AV staffs so HCs, OCs, DCs and other asst coaches can see all of the workouts and do the interviews on zoom. It allows HCs and their staffs to work on other football related matters.

  3. Jack/Coach,
    A couple of Edge guys stood out that may be within reach for the 49ers.
    Adebawore and Lucas Van Ness gained some positive attention on their 40’s. Adebawore may have earned himself a mid 2nd to mid 3rd rd draft range because he shows a great motor. Van Ness looks like a solid 3rd rd pick.

    1. A potential UDFA Cade Hall San Jose St. DE. His Dad Rhett Hall was on the last 49ers SB championship

    2. 10 draft picks plus probably some undrafted free agents. They aren’t all making the roster. 49ers should look at packaging some of these picks to move up for a RT or DE

  4. Probably doesn’t mean anything. But (per Larry Krueger) John Lynch texted Tom Brady yesterday (Weds).
    No information on what was said, but it’s interesting just the same.
    I’ve been touting the Brady to 49ers this week and… Oh, well, it’s best to leave it at that.

    1. Think about it. Tom Brady bringing the Niners their 6th Super Bowl. Mom and Dad in the stands. Boyhood idol Joe Montana looking on. George Kittle doing cartwheels for the cameras after catching the winning TD in the final seconds of a thrilling game against the Chiefs. Oh, but what a dear moment that would be. And yes, why as 49ers fans shouldn’t we dream?

  9. Reports coming in that the 49ers don’t plan on resigning R. Gould. Guess we better start scouting kickers. To make sure we get the best K I could see them using one of their 3rd round picks or 5th round at the latest. I would have rather seen them sign Gould and then sign a UDFA strong legged kicker to be a KO specialist. Is there a concensus best kicker in this draft?

    1. Moody from Michigan is probably the best. The Niners have been scouting kickers but were and probably still are interested in Gould but now he has come out and said he’ll be playing for some one else next year. Time will tell but it looks the Niners will be moving on but it depends on the market for Gould. If the price is right, I’m sure the Niners would like to have him back.

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