31 one other teams don't have nowhere near where near our talent.
So much talent that isn't being utilized.
I agree with his takes on Graham and BellScott McCloughan's drunk (great at scouting) ass gives his takes on some of our draft picks
S Ji’Ayir Brown, third round, No. 87
McCloughan said he loves Brown’s toughness, his intelligence, his instincts, his makeup and how he plays the run. The former Penn State safety had 147 tackles over the past two seasons and forced three fumbles.
But Brown’s foot speed is a concern.
“He’s going to show up in the run game, he’s going to show up on (special) teams, he’s going to show up on anything in front of him,” he said. “But anything deep is going to be an issue.”
Brown ran his 40-yard dash in 4.65 seconds at the NFL Scouting Combine. By comparison, Hufanga — who fell in the draft due to concerns over his speed — ran a 4.64 40 two years ago. McCloughan, however, said Hufanga moves better than Brown. He gave Hufanga a third-round grade in 2021. He gave Brown a fourth-round grade.
“In coverage, if you’re a step late, you’re done,” he said. “In run (defense), you can be two steps late and still be OK. But (Brown) has no makeup speed and no long closing speed. And that’s what will hold him back.”
TE Cameron Latu, third round, No. 101
McCloughan had a much better assessment of Latu. The 49ers took him with the second-to-last pick in the third round. McCloughan had a second-round grade on the tight end.
“I’ve been scouting him for three years,” he said. “I saw him in the spring game as a sophomore and I never lost sight of him from that point on.”
McCloughan’s assessment of Latu was very similar to the 49ers’. He said he’s a work in progress, someone who will be a complementary piece early in his career. But there’s a sense that Latu, who switched from defensive end to tight end at Alabama before the 2019 season, has plenty of room to grow in every facet of the game.
“He competes,” McCloughan said of Latu’s blocking ability. “It’s just not there yet. But that’s what I’m saying — when it’s all said and done, he has the chance to be an every-down tight end. Which means he can block and work as a receiver. I think he can get there in time. I think he will intrigue the sh– out of you in rookie minicamp, OTAs and training camp. Because you’re going to see some of the athleticism. It’s pretty freakin’ cool.”
He continued.
“I guarantee you he’s a phenomenal basketball player,” he said. “I guarantee it. You can just tell. It was like watching Tony Gonzalez run routes. You could tell he was a basketball player. You could see how smooth he was. You could see his flexibility and his movements in and out of breaks. There were no wasted steps. That’s what Latu has. Latu’s not there yet. But he has a chance to get there. That’s going to end up being a hell of a pick.”
For the record, Latu did play basketball growing up. He also wrestled, ran track and field and was on the rugby team.
TE Brayden Willis, seventh round, No. 247
McCloughan said Willis’ length (33 1/2-inch arms), his receiving skills (514 yards last season) and the spot at which the 49ers grabbed him (late in the seventh round) made him a “pretty damn good pick.”
His question about the Oklahoma product is whether he can be aligned inline or whether he needs to be offset — as a slot receiver or an H-back — to be effective.
“He’s a big receiver right now,” he said. “What you’re hoping for is that he turns into a tight end. … His saving grace was the Senior Bowl, hands down. That put him on the map because it showed his athleticism. But that’s what he is — a seven-on-seven, one-on-one guy. In 11 on 11, unless he’s flexed out, he’s not going to help you.”
WR Ronnie Bell, seventh round, No. 253
McCloughan said he enjoyed scouting Bell over the last three years. “I love him to death,” he said. But he loves him as a college player, not as an NFL prospect.
“It’s speed,” he said of the Michigan receiver, who ran a 4.54-second 40 at 191 pounds. “He’s one of those guys — you love college football because those guys can be good. They can be damn good. But you know what? They’re not NFL players. If he makes the team, then their fifth and sixth wide receivers are not good at all. (Bell is) young and doesn’t run fast, and as you get older, you get slower.”
McCloughan was asked how Bell compared to Kyle Williams, a similarly sized receiver the 49ers took late in the 2010 draft.
“Kyle Williams was a much better athlete, much quicker, much faster,” he said. “But this guy plays bigger, which is important in the NFL for a lack-of-speed guy. You have to play big.”
In that way, McCloughan said he thought it was worth it to take a late-round flier on Bell. He could be a backup at punt returner this season and has the mettle to be a good coverage player on special teams. One of the 49ers’ gunners from last season, Tarvarius Moore, is now with the Packers.
“Was it worth a shot that late (in the draft)?” McCloughan said. “Hell yeah.”
LB Jalen Graham, seventh round, No. 255
The 49ers may have saved the best for last, according to McCloughan. At the very least, he thinks Graham, the Purdue linebacker who was taken four picks before Mr. Irrelevant, gives them exceptional value.
“I gave him a fourth-round grade two years in a row,” McCloughan said. “Nobody else liked him. I kept saying, ‘What do you mean? He’s out there making plays.’”
After the draft, general manager John Lynch said Winters, a linebacker they took in the sixth round, drew some in-house comparison to Dre Greenlaw. McCloughan said Graham reminded him a lot of Azeez Al-Shaair, who signed with the Titans two months ago.
Graham had an unimpressive 4.64-second 40 time at the combine and was even slower — 4.78 — at Purdue’s pro day, which likely sent him tumbling to the end of the seventh round. McCloughan, however, said Graham had terrific eyes, that he reacted quickly to plays and that his 5-yard closing speed was excellent.
“And that’s how the game is played,” he said. “Because I’m telling you, this cat’s got change of direction, he’s got instincts, he’s got eyes. And he’s got pass rush, too. So on third down, he can put his hand on the ground.”
McCloughan predicted Graham would be a standout on special teams and that he’d compete for the strongside linebacker role that previously belonged to Al-Shaair.
“I’d be surprised if he doesn’t make it,” he said. “Because he’s got some qualities that are pretty unique. Whoever found him — whoever that scout was — that’s pretty freakin’ cool.”
Ask them if he can get 80..... Just to see what they say
He doesn’t want any 80s numbers I suggested it and 81 and he gave me theAsk them if he can get 80..... Just to see what they say
face lol. He wants to stay in the teens and single numbers
These young bucks lol.He doesn’t want any 80s numbers I suggested it and 81 and he gave me the
Look he's getting number 39 until he proves himselfHe doesn’t want any 80s numbers I suggested it and 81 and he gave me the
Schedule gonna make the whole division travel a fukk ton during the season
rookie minicamp starts tomorrow
