The NFL’s 2021 Draft is just over two months away. Several colleges will hold their professional days next month to give NFL teams a more detailed look at some of the prospects.
The San Francisco 49ers have some positions of need that they will try to fill in the draft. General manager John Lynch and coach Kyle Shanahan are already doing their homework while looking to add pieces that will help the Niners return to the Super Bowl contest next season.
Justin melo The Draft Network did a great job informing us about which teams were in contact with potential customers. Melo reports that San Francisco has maintained consistent contact with the University of Miami tight end, Brevin Jordan.
Lynch and co. could add another tight end to play alongside superstar George Kittle. Jordan had 38 receptions for 576 yards and touchdowns with the Hurricanes last season. The 49ers also have Ross Dwelley and Charlie Woerner under contract for 2021, while veteran Jordan Reed is expected to become a free agent.
One area that Niners will certainly address in this off-season is secondary. With nine players from the unit applying for free service, Lynch and Shanahan are likely to use one of their teams at the back line of defense.
Melo says San Francisco had a virtual meeting with Oregon’s cornerback Deommodore Lenoir.
A veteran Lenoir ended the 2020 campaign with 30 tackles, an interception and a forced fumble. It is listed at 5’11, 195 pounds. Michael Renner of Pro Football Focus wrote an article examining the prospects of each NFL team and chose Lenoir from Oregon.
Lenoir is a physical corner of 5 feet-11 and 195 pounds. He may end up safe in the NFL because of this and because of his limited length / athletic ability combination. In his entire Oregon career, he lost just eight tackles in 137 attempts. He was also one of the most talented cornerbacks in press coverage throughout his career. He’s probably a guy from the beginning of Day 3 right now.
Staying with the Pac-12, Melo also says that the Niners held a virtual meeting with Oregon state runner Jamar Jefferson. As a junior, Jefferson achieved 858 yards and seven touchdowns in six games last season, earning honors from the All-Pac-12 as a starter. San Francisco hasn’t selected a running back since 2017, when he took Joe Williams in the fourth round.
Jefferson is ranked No. 273 on the top 300 big board of the PFF.
Melo previously reported that some potential customers said they had a “great” meeting with the 49ers at last month’s Super Bowl. Minnesota cornerbacks Benjamin St. Juste and Darren Hall said their encounter with the Niners was particularly good, as was Ohio State defense player Jonathon Cooper.
Because of the pandemic, preparation for the project will be different than it would be under normal circumstances. NFL rules state that teams can make up to five virtual calls an hour with potential customers.
Which potential customer of the names mentioned above excites you the most?