San Francisco 49ers: Players to Watch for in December's Bowl Games
With the San Francisco 49ers mathematically eliminated from the playoffs already, it’s time to look at potential picks in the 2015 draft. Yesterday, we took a look at the first 18 bowl games of the season, highlighting players to watch for from a 49ers perspective—from potential first-round receivers through seventh-round quarterback fliers.
The early bowl games, however, are just an appetizer. While the Famous Idaho Potato Bowl might be a fun diversion to watch, there aren’t that many blue-chip prospects coming out of either Western Michigan or Air Force this year. To see the cream of the college crop, we have to move on to some of the later bowl games.
From December 29 through December 31, nine major bowl games will be played. The 31st especially has a loaded schedule—Ole Miss takes on TCU in the Peach Bowl, Boise State clashes with Arizona in the Fiesta Bowl and Mississippi State and Georgia Tech go at it in the Orange Bowl. Those are some big-time college programs, which bring with them big-time draft implications.
Let’s look at those nine bowl games now, highlighting key first-day draft choices the 49ers might make. From defensive linemen to receivers, there are a few interesting names to watch as you count down to the new year.
All times Eastern.
Liberty Bowl (December 29, 2:00 p.m.): Texas A&M vs. West Virginia
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While he’s not the player in the draft the 49ers would most want—that award goes to Amari Cooper of Alabama—West Virginia’s Kevin White might well be the best player the 49ers have a legitimate chance to take in this year’s draft.
White has 102 receptions for 1,318 yards this season, so there’s no doubting his production. He also has a very promising frame, at 6’3” and 211 pounds—tall and slender, with leaping ability to increase his functional height. He’s going to be a nightmare for opposing cornerbacks on fade routes to the back-corner of the end zone, providing instant red-zone aid for the 49ers. He’s also good at going up and getting the ball when the throw isn’t perfect, which is probably a good fit for Colin Kaepernick.
White creates separation and is dangerous after the catch, though he doesn’t have blazing speed. He finds seams and exploits them, fighting for yards after the catch. He could start for most teams in the NFL right now.
He’s still very raw as a route-runner, though, doing most of his damage on simple vertical routes. That’s something that can be taught, though. He only has one real great season in college, thanks in part to having to go through junior college to get there, but White’s got all the skills you want at the position.
Russell Athletic Bowl (December 29, 2:00 p.m.) Oklahoma vs. Clemson
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With Ray McDonald now out of the picture, and Justin Smith aging, the 49ers have a much stronger reason to go with a defensive lineman in the first round. That might be a sign to consider Vic Beasley from Clemson, who is a Bruce Irvin-type disruptor.
There’s no doubting Beasley’s talent. The AP-All American racked up 11 sacks this season, shooting gaps and finding his way to the quarterback. He covers sideline-to-sideline, and he can close down running backs from behind, so he’s going to project well as a pass-rusher in the NFL.
The reason I highlight Beasley, however, is not to say the 49ers should draft him but as a warning to fans who just look at positions and not fit. Beasley is a 4-3 defensive end at Clemson, and the 49ers run a 3-4 defense. Some players can work as ends in either scheme, but Beasley is only 220 pounds.
That means, as a 49er, Beasley would have to move to outside linebacker. Maybe, if the 49ers got rid of Ahmad Brooks, they’d consider adding more depth to the position but not with a first-round pick.
Texas Bowl (December 29, 9:00 p.m.): Arkansas vs. Texas
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Both teams in this one have a defensive lineman that could help strengthen San Francisco’s relatively depleted line in this year’s draft.
Texas boasts Malcolm Brown, who is listed as a defensive tackle but would move to defensive end in San Francisco’s scheme. Brown has experience playing both at that 3-4 end position and as a nose tackle, so there’s versatility there. At 6’4”, 320 pounds, he has prototypical size and the ability to take on multiple blockers, allowing the linebackers behind him to have free routes at their targets. He’s an especially good run defender at this point, taking out running lanes before they can develop.
If you’re looking for a slightly more mobile defensive lineman, you can look at Arkansas’ Trey Flowers. He doesn’t fit as well in a 3-4 system, so Brown’s probably the better pick, but Flowers could move to a defensive end position. He’s 265 pounds, which is a lot better than Vic Beasley, so there’s some hope there. He’s got room to grow on his frame, too. He’s got very long arms, which Trent Baalke likes, and he can rush from both three- and two-point stances.
Brown’s probably a second-round pick and Flowers a third, so keep that in mind when watching them.
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Music City Bowl (December 30, 2:15 p.m.): Notre Dame vs. LSU
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There are a couple of players on LSU worth considering on the first two days of the draft.
The 49ers are fairly set at offensive tackle with Joe Staley and Anthony Davis, but we saw the issues at depth in 2014 as Jonathan Martin had to start quite a few times. Therefore, an offensive tackle like La’el Collins could be a pick there—and he could move inside to guard as well, giving him more versatility. He might be a bit of a reach in the first round and likely to be taken before the 49ers pick in round two, but if the timing is right, Collins is a massive run-blocker and adequate pass protector, and he would be a boost on the line.
With Perrish Cox, Chris Culliver and Chris Cook all free agents-to-be in 2015, the 49ers will have to do something at the cornerback position. That something might be a draft pick like Jalen Mills, a hybrid corner and safety prospect who could go off the board in the third round. He hasn’t looked as good at safety this year as he did at corner last season, so maybe a move back to corner could help him in the NFL.
Belk Bowl (December 30, 6:30 p.m.): Georgia vs. Louisville
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The best player in this game will be Louisville receiver DeVante Parker, but he’s a likely top-10 pick and thus probably out of range for the 49ers. The next best player, Georgia’s Leonard Floyd, won’t play due to shoulder surgery. Nor will the third-best player, running back Todd Gurley, thanks to knee surgery.
That leaves a couple of defensive ends to watch. Louisville boasts Lorenzo Mauldin, who probably would have to be converted to an outside linebacker in San Francisco’s 3-4 system. Georgia has Jordan Jenkins, who is in the same boat.
Essentially, this game could have been a lot more interesting from a 49ers’ perspective, and maybe Parker drops and the 49ers pick him up. Most of the most interesting players, however, will be watching this one from the sideline.
Foster Farms Bowl (December 30, 10:00 p.m.) Maryland vs. Stanford
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The Foster Farms Bowl will give 49ers fans the opportunity to watch potential future 49ers players—and maybe a potential future 49ers coach in David Shaw—performing in the 49ers’ current stadium.
Stanford has a couple of players who might fit the bill, actually, starting with wide receiver Ty Montgomery. A potential second-round pick, Montgomery doesn’t have the same gaudy numbers we’ve seen from the top prospects—he’s only caught 61 passes for 604 yards this season, after putting up nearly 1,000 yards and 10 touchdowns a year ago.
He’s a very solid player, though, with every aspect of his game above average. He’s not fast or tall enough to be a threat in jump-ball situations, but he has enough speed to get behind receivers and catch bombs. His routes need a bit more polish, but he finds ways to get open and turns on a burst with the ball in his hands. He’s done quite well as a returner for Stanford this year as well, giving him added versatility.
Stanford also has offensive tackle Andrus Peat, who CBS has as the second-ranked offensive tackle in this year’s draft class. I think that’s a little high, but he’s a future left tackle with all the measurable you’d want at the position. The 49ers aren’t in the market for a left tackle, but if Peat falls, the value might be too good to pass up.
Peach Bowl (December 31, 12:30 p.m.) Ole Miss vs. TCU
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The attention of 49ers fans should be in the secondary for this one, as Mississippi safety Cody Prewitt and cornerback Senquez Golson are potential day-two picks.
Prewitt plays a high free safety role, as opposed to being a coverage safety and is responsible for cleaning up plays and taking away the deep ball. As a quasi-centerfielder, he has good timing and instincts to come away with the ball; he has nine interceptions in his college career. If the 49ers continue to convert Jimmie Ward to cornerback, he’d be an interesting option.
Golson should be taken at about the same time as Prewitt and might fit San Francisco’s needs a bit better. At only 5’9”, 176 pounds, he’s very small for an NFL safety and would struggle to cover most big NFL receivers, but he’s an athletic marvel. He makes up for his small size with agility and speed, and he shows an instinct to get to the ball. If he was three inches taller, he’d probably be a first-round pick.
Fiesta Bowl (December 31, 4:00 p.m.): Boise State vs. Arizona
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The one player to watch here is Arizona receiver Austin Hill, who might squeak into the bottom of day two in this year’s draft.
Hill mostly works out of the slot, where he has had some great success. In 2012, he went for over 1,000 yards receiving and had 11 touchdowns. His numbers weren’t as good this year, with just 45 catches for 605 yards, but he still has the skills that made him a big-time target in 2012.
You may note the lack of “2013” anywhere that previous paragraph, and that’s due to a durability concern. Hill tore his ACL in the spring of 2013 and had to sit out the entire season. If you’re looking for a reason why his 2014 numbers were down, there you have it.
The 49ers have shown a willingness to gamble on players with injury histories before, so maybe they do the same with Hill. A full year recovered from his ACL tear, he may go back to being the great target he was two seasons ago.
Orange Bowl (December 31, 8:00 p.m.): Mississippi State vs. Georgia Tech
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The best draft-eligible player in this game doesn’t quite align with San Francisco’s needs, but he’s worth checking out anyway.
I’m talking about linebacker Benardrick McKinney, who CBS lists as the top inside linebacker in this year’s draft class. If McKinney decides to come out, he’ll probably be a first-round pick.
McKinney is an athletic marvel. He runs a 4.5, 40-yard dash and has a 34-inch vertical leap. He plays middle linebacker and outside linebacker, with a good closing burst of speed. He’s ideally suited for a 4-3 defense but can project fairly well to inside linebacker in a 3-4 system as well.
The 49ers don’t need an inside linebacker. They have too many as it stands now! With no other player really in McKinney’s class, however, he’s worth keeping an eye on.
Bryan Knowles is a featured columnist for Bleacher Report, covering the San Francisco 49ers. Follow him @BryKno on twitter.
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