2019-'20 CFB SEASON / '20 NFL DRAFT

[NinerSickness]

No need to sticky this thread yet because it's over a year away. But I couldn't help myself because I'm completely looking past the 2019 season.

Sooooooo... Here are my WAAAAAAAY too early thoughts on next year's draft.

OFFENSIVE TACKLE!!!

Staley's contract will be up after this season. The OT class next year is much better than the '19 class IMO. Of the top-ranked tackles in CFB, Stanford OLT Walker Little seems like the most realistic guy the Niners might be able to get. Might even be a must-get guy IMO. Especially if Staley isn't a 49er in 2020 or can't play OT at a high level any more.

Iowa DE AJ Espenesa seems like a perfect fit to play LDE IMO. Amazing hands, huge length (6'7), really good strength and very quick for a big guy. Might get overlooked because he might not have blind-side quickness, but I think he'd hold his own well against RTs. No idea where he'll be projected. Late 1st - 2nd round, maybe???

Huskie OLT Trey Adams could be the Baalke pick of the 2020 draft (meaning he's an injury risk, not that he sucks).

Clemson S Isaiah Simmons would look nice in red & gold, but at what position? S or LB? Listed at 225. Nickel is starting to become a base defense, so maybe the answer is both?

'Bama WR Jerry Jeudy goes without saying; he's going to be a #1 guy in the NFL.

Who are some of your early favourites?

[ChrisPozz]

By NO means is this a top 10 list or in any specific order and not overly 49ers related either:

Auburn DT Derrick Brown - Outstanding athleticism and movement skills with very good size (6'5/325) but his best trait thus far is he appears to be a guy that would translate into multiple defenses. And the guy is a business major. Love it.

Virginia CB Bryce Hall - Big, long, and tall with very good techniques. PBU machine (led the nation). Will turn his head to find the ball and lean into the receiver minimizing the throwing window for the QB. Makes plays all over in the run game with maximum effort. Rarely shuts it down as a run defender.

California S Jaylinn Hawkins - Good size. Allowed an insane 1.7 passer rating when targeted in 2018 as a redshirt junior (2nd best mark was a 12.0 passer rating by Taylor Rapp).

Tennessee WR Jauan Jennings - Big, long, and strong YAC ability. Excellent stiff arm. Some on here know I hate player comparisons (Bingo has talked to me about it) so I don't usually like to throw any out there, and I've probably only used Terrell Owens' name in maybe 2 player profiles since 1998, but he's got a skosh of Terrell Owens to his game. Unfortunately, like TO, he's got a big ole character red flag that'll need to be investigated if he's still draft eligible/worthy when it's time to talk about the class. Has played in and started games in every season since his freshman year but had a wrist dislocation that required surgery and forced him to miss almost the entire 2017 season. After that, he was not seen on the sideline again with other injured players for the rest of the year (quite possibly for his own safety). As he was coming back, he went on an expletive-filled rant against the entire coaching staff and recorded it to Instagram. Interim coach Brady Hoke then suspended him. He then had arthroscopic knee surgery the next offseason and missed spring practice. When they hired a new staff, he was given the chance to come back and eventually worked himself back into their good graces and got full reinstatement after he was healthy and did everything else he needed to do (30 for 438 and 3 TDs in 12 games with 5 starts).

LSU DE Rashard Lawrence - Already have done a ton of work on him. Highly recruited coming out of HS. Orgeron said he was their most improved player going into 2017 as a sophomore. Often lined up as a DE in their 3-man front in '17. Suffered multiple injuries that season and multiple re-aggravations. Then missed 2019 spring practices after undergoing surgery on his right knee. Coaches rave about his personality and business-like approach to the game and for all the work he's done getting himself back in shape. He's also a 4.0 GPA student. He's listed at 6'3/317 and carries it very well. Impressive range, makes plays all over the field, disruptive. Downright immovable at times with plus playing strength and pad level. Heavy hands and can shed but still doesn't use them effectively as a pass rusher and needs refinement overall as a pass rusher overall. He might project best to a 3-4 DE that can occasionally kick inside. Could be a 1 or 3-technique. Not sure yet.

Georgia State WR Christian Owens - Intriguing open field runner at his size. Actually noticed him as I was watching someone else so I want to see more from him.

Mississippi RB Scottie Phillips - 1st two seasons at Jones County Junior College. Gets through the hole quickly. Very impressive cutting ability. Some shiftiness. Need to see more though. I'm arrogant about my RB evaluation skills and sometimes it scares me when I don't get a fuzzy feeling about what my eyes see right away. I haven't gotten to fuzzy territory with him yet which might be a sign but he's one of the first in the next class I have down to watch more of.

Texas Tech WR T.J. Vasher - Only will be a junior. Uncle is former Texas Longhorns and Bears/Lions CB Nathan Vasher, who I also remember evaluating which makes me feel old. Ugh! Received multiple offers to play D-1 basketball. Plays the Z-receiver position in their offense. Long, rangy WR with an excellent catch radius. In the season opener of his freshman season he caught 2 passes and then missed the rest of the season due to a knee injury that didn't require surgery. Played behind Keke Coutee in 2017. In the '18 season opener as a redshirt sophomore had one of the best catches you'll ever see that was comparable to Odell Beckham's famous one-handed catch with the Giants (4 catches for 66 yards in the game). Made another impressive high catch later in the game down the sideline as well.

San Diego State WR Tim Wilson Jr. - Only a junior. Very good size. Looks like solid enough movement skills. Hard to bring down. Good hands. Want to see more. Evaluations could be all over the place with this one because there's much work to be done on him.

Minnesota S Antoine Winfield Jr. - Only a redshirt sophomore this year - Good size with impressive movement skills. Admittedly, I am probably more jazzed about SEEING this kid because he's the son of Antoine Winfield (if you want to feel old again), who I have so much respect for (as a bit of an Ohio State supporter) and as an NFL player and what he was able to do. Junior really impressed me with his movement skills. However, In 2017 and in 2018 he played the first 4 games of each season before suffering injuries and missing the rest of both of those seasons.

[ChrisPozz]

Georgia Tech D-lineman Adams dies at age 21

http://www.espn.com/college-football/story/_/id/26349057/georgia-tech-d-lineman-adams-dies-age-21

Was definitely on a trajectory to be drafted.

[NinerSickness]

California S Jaylinn Hawkins - Good size. Allowed an insane 1.7 passer rating when targeted in 2018 as a redshirt junior

[Bingo_AlphaMan]

You guys already named some of my favorites, so I’m not going to try not to rename them on my list:

Class of '20
Trey Smith (OT) Tennessee
Donovan Peoples-Jones (WR) Michigan
Tarik Black (WR) Michigan
Najee Harris (RB) Alabama 
J.K. Dobbins (RB) Ohio State
Cam Akers (RB) FSU
Stephen Carr (RB) USC
Tyrell Shavers (WR) Alabama
Jerry Jeudy (WR) Alabama
Tee Higgins (WR) Clemson
Cole McDonald (QB) Hawaii
CeeDee Lamb (WR) Oklahoma
Pozz‘ boy Jalen Reagor (WR) TCU
Jacob Eason (QB) Washington
Shea Patterson (QB) Michigan
Demetris Robertson (WR) ??
Trevon Diggs (CB) Alabama
Dylan Moses (LB) Alabama
Albert Okwuegbunam (TE) Missouri
#1 player in the nation Tua Tagovailoa

[Bingo_AlphaMan]

CEEDEE LAMB
WR, OKLAHOMA SOONERS

Oklahoma junior WR CeeDee Lamb said he weighs 195 pounds and is down to 3.1-percent body fat.

Self-reported body fat percentages are almost always wrong, but Lamb (6'2/195) being in tip-top shape isn't surprising at all. Lamb is going to be competing for a 2020 Round 1 pick this upcoming season after a huge 65-1,258-11 receiving line as a sophomore, but he wants to show that he can be a true WR1 now that he's without NFL-bound Marquise Brown.
SOURCE: Tyler Palmer on Twitter

Mar 28, 2019, 8:15 PM

[Bingo_AlphaMan]

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[Bingo_AlphaMan]

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[Bingo_AlphaMan]

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[Bingo_AlphaMan]

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[NinerSickness]

ED OLIVER
DL, HOUSTON COUGARS

Houston DT Ed Oliver clocked in with an official time of 4.73 seconds in the 40-yard dash during Thursday's pro day.

Oliver (6'2/281), who weighed in at six pounds lighter than his NFL Scouting Combine number (287), had an impressive pro day in front of a host of NFL scouts and decision-makers. In addition to the 40 the elite defensive line prospect posted times of 4.22 seconds in the 20-yard shuttle and 7.15 seconds in the three-cone drill.
SOURCE: Sam Khan Jr. on Twitter

Mar 28, 2019, 2:26 PM

Bingo, it looks like you posted some of these in the wrong thread.

[Bingo_AlphaMan]

ED OLIVER
DL, HOUSTON COUGARS

Houston DT Ed Oliver clocked in with an official time of 4.73 seconds in the 40-yard dash during Thursday's pro day.

Oliver (6'2/281), who weighed in at six pounds lighter than his NFL Scouting Combine number (287), had an impressive pro day in front of a host of NFL scouts and decision-makers. In addition to the 40 the elite defensive line prospect posted times of 4.22 seconds in the 20-yard shuttle and 7.15 seconds in the three-cone drill.
SOURCE: Sam Khan Jr. on Twitter

Mar 28, 2019, 2:26 PM

Bingo, it looks like you posted some of these in the wrong thread.

Damn it. I hate when I do that!! You are to blame, Sick. Who told you to create this thread 2020 thread so darn early. Lol. J/k.

[NinerSickness]

Damn it. I hate when I do that!! You are to blame, Sick. Who told you to create this thread 2020 thread so darn early. Lol. J/k.

[Bingo_AlphaMan]

HENRY RUGGS
WR, ALABAMA CRIMSON TIDE

Alabama junior WR Henry Ruggs said that he was disappointed in his 40-yard dash time of 4.25 seconds logged during the program's junior pro day earlier this spring.

'I actually was kind of upset after I ran because I didn't feel like I had a good start. After they told me the numbers, I still feel like I could do better," Ruggs said. It's a terrifying, terrifying statement from the 6-foot, 183-pound junior. He, Jerry Jeudy and Jaylen Waddle bring absurd speed elements to the table in Tuscaloosa. Both Ruggs and Jeudy will be draft-eligible next winter in what should be -- depending on who declares around the FBS -- one of the best offensive skill-position classes we have seen in recent memory.
SOURCE: Charlie Potter on Twitter

Mar 29, 2019, 3:56 PM

[Bingo_AlphaMan]

This kid is a very talented running back:


KHALAN LABORN
RB, FLORIDA STATE SEMINOLES

Florida State redshirt sophomore RB Khalan Laborn (knee) will take contact in the team's spring game.

"I'm so excited. I don't think you understand," Laborn told reporters on Friday. The 5-foot-11, 205-pounder has yet to play a meaningful role in Tallahassee after signing on as a four-star recruit in the winter of 2017. After taking a redshirt his first year on campus, Laborn saw his 2018 campaign cut short by a dislocated kneecap sustained against Samford in September. If Laborn can get back to full health by the start of the season -- and it sounds like he's already close, if not there -- he and Cam Akers could put up fantastic numbers under OC Kendal Briles upcoming. Assuming FSU has anybody on roster capable of blocking for them, anyway.
SOURCE: Tashan Reed on Twitter

Mar 29, 2019, 1:01 PM

[Bingo_AlphaMan]

SHAUN BEYER
TE, IOWA HAWKEYES

Former Iowa TE George Kittle said redshirt junior TE Shaun Beyer "makes plays" and "runs really well."

Beyer has patiently sat behind Kittle, Noah Fant, and T.J. Hockenson for three seasons and is expected to have a much bigger role in 2019. Beyer's high school coach believes "he'll be a star" and is capable of filling the big shoes left by Fant and Hockenson. Beyer actually had a better resume entering high school than his predecessors but didn't put on weight as fast and wasn't able to see the field. He mostly played special teams last season but will likely be Iowa's pass-catching tight end in 2019.
SOURCE: The Athletic

Mar 31, 2019, 1:55 PM

[ChrisPozz]

You guys already named some of my favorites, so I’m not going to try not to rename them on my list:

Class of '20
Trey Smith (OT) Tennessee
Donovan Peoples-Jones (WR) Michigan
Tarik Black (WR) Michigan
Najee Harris (RB) Alabama 
J.K. Dobbins (RB) Ohio State
Cam Akers (RB) FSU
Stephen Carr (RB) USC
Tyrell Shavers (WR) Alabama
Jerry Jeudy (WR) Alabama
Tee Higgins (WR) Clemson
Cole McDonald (QB) Hawaii
CeeDee Lamb (WR) Oklahoma
Pozz‘ boy Jalen Reagor (WR) TCU
Jacob Eason (QB) Washington
Shea Patterson (QB) Michigan
Demetris Robertson (WR) ??
Trevon Diggs (CB) Alabama
Dylan Moses (LB) Alabama
Albert Okwuegbunam (TE) Missouri
#1 player in the nation Tua Tagovailoa

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[NinerSickness]

Tank time, baby!!! Since Lynch's offseason was a hot poop sandwich, the 2019 / 2020 season is over before it's begun.

Tank for Walker Little!

Good thing Lynch took some 2nd-tier WRs in a mediocre WR class instead of waiting for next year's class, which is much better & deeper.

...

[Bingo_AlphaMan]

A.J. EPENESA
DL, IOWA HAWKEYES

In his first 2020 mack draft, The Athletic's Dane Brugler projected Iowa junior EDGE A.J. Epenesa to land as the No. 4 pick next spring.

"It was impossible not to notice Epenesa and his combination of power and body control when watching the Hawkeyes defense last season," Brugler writes of the 6-foot-5, 277-pounder. As a true sophomore in 2018, Epenesa registered 37 tackles (16.5 for loss) with 10.5 sacks and four fumbles forced across 13 games played. Those 10.5 sacks tied Ohio State's Chase Young -- himself a potential top-five pick for next spring -- for the conference lead.
SOURCE: The Athletic

Apr 30, 2019, 11:58 AM ET

[Bingo_AlphaMan]

MICHAEL PITTMAN
WR, USC TROJANS

The Athletic's Antonio Morales tagged USC senior WR Michael Pittman as the program's best hope for a top-100 selection in the 2020 draft.

The Trojans have had a player drafted top-100 every year since 2002, a streak which came very close to being snapped over the weekend. Chuma Edoga kept it alive when the Jets selected him with the 92nd pick. Morales likes Pittman as an option to keep things going in 2020. The 6-foot-4, 215-pounder could have jumped for the draft over the winter, but instead opted to return to school after posting a 26-550-6 receiving line on a bad USC team in 2018. He could be in for a nice offensive bump upcoming under new OC Graham Harrell. Morales also name-checks DLs Christian Rector and Jay Tufele, as well as WR Tyler Vaughns, as potential top-100 candidates who will be draft-eligible after the fall. Stephen Carr and Austin Jackson could also end up as notable players in this mix.
SOURCE: The Athletic

Apr 30, 2019, 11:50 AM ET