49ers: 5 Draft Prospects to Watch at 2015 NFL Combine
With most of the coaching staff finally settled, the San Francisco 49ers can turn their attention to the upcoming NFL Draft Combine. As always with general manager Trent Baalke, the NFL draft will be the No. 1 priority in shoring up roster weaknesses.
I've always believed the NFL combine was overrated. It seems that sentiment is now widespread, but the combine has some benefits. Much like Wikipedia, the combine is a great starting point. However, you never want to turn in a legitimate paper with Wikipedia as your main reference point.
The combine gives general managers and other front office personnel an initial look at potential prospects. As long as you don't believe the combine is the be-all and end-all, it serves a purpose for organizations and prospects alike.
Let's jump right into it. Here are five prospects who should be on the 49ers' radar come the NFL combine.
Sammie Coates, WR, Auburn
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The 49ers have long searched for a deep threat to complement their strong-armed quarterback, Colin Kaepernick. This might be the year Baalke accomplishes this task.
If you want an elite, deep-threat prospect, receiver Sammie Coates is your man.
Now, Coates isn't the most polished receiver in this class. His route running is limited due to the Auburn scheme. In terms of pure catching, Coates is far behind other top receivers prospects like West Virginia's Kevin White and Arizona State's Jaelen Strong.
Nevertheless, you can't teach speed. And Coates speed in spades. More importantly, Coates also has the size to be a big factor as both a blocker and red-zone specialist. That should give Coates the opportunity to play early in his career with the 49ers.
Coates somewhat reminds me of Cordarrelle Patterson. While I still believe Patterson will eventually excel in the near future, he's still very raw as a route-runner.
Coates shares the same weakness and could struggle early in his career, though, the former Auburn receiver is a better blocker and overall a much more physical player than Patterson.
Maxx Williams, TE, Minnesota
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Whether the 49ers decide to part with Vernon Davis this year or in the near future, they'll need to find a successor if Kaepernick is going to flourish at quarterback.
A quarterback's best friend and safety valve is his tight end.
With 49ers quarterback coach Geep Chryst serving as the newly minted offensive coordinator, according to the NFL Network's Albert Breer, I still see the 49ers utilizing plenty of two tight end sets within their base offense.
If so, a guy like Maxx Williams would be a perfect complement to either Davis or third-year tight end Vance McDonald. Now, McDonald has been a slight disappointment as a receiver, but man has he improved as a blocker the last two years.
Williams will need some work in this area, but his ability to be effective as both an inline and slot receiver should give this 49ers offense a much needed spark. He has fantastic hands for a tight end and will be a major factor in the red zone and after the catch.
I wouldn't select Williams in the first round, though, his stock could rise with a great combine performance. As a mid-second-round selection, Williams would be a great pick for Baalke and Co.
Mario Edwards, DE, Florida State
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If Justin Smith decides to officially call it quits, the 49ers will have to replace two veteran starters along the defensive line. The other player, Ray McDonald, was released during the 2014 season.
It'll be tough to replace Smith, who has played at a near Hall of Fame level since signing as a free agent in 2008. However, I think the 49ers can replace the production McDonald brought the last four years.
For starters, the 49ers will have to see what Tank Carradine can bring to the table. If the former Florida Sate lineman disappoints, the 49ers can try their luck with a fellow Seminoles player in Mario Edwards.
At 6'3", 293 pounds, Edwards is a McDonald clone. He has long arms and a stout frame to be a big disruptor along the defensive line.
Edwards doesn't have the quickness that I thought McDonald possessed, but he has the power moves to be effective within this scheme. While I'm sure he can pass off as tackle in a 4-3 scheme, he's more suited to play as a 5-technique in a 3-4 defense.
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La'el Collins, OT/OG, LSU
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The 49ers may allow All-Pro guard Mike Iupati to depart via free agency. If so, the 49ers will need to address the offensive line in the draft.
Look, I love last year's third-round pick, Brandon Thomas. Can he come in and start at left guard? Sure, but as we saw last season, injuries can wreck a good offensive line.
Enter La'el Collins, who can play both guard and tackle at a high level.
La'el Collins played tackle at LSU, but he can have the same impact if an NFL team moved him inside. In fact, he might be better suited to play inside at guard. It covers up a few of his weaknesses as a pass protector.
As a run-blocker, Collins is at the top of his class. He's a physical mauler that can easily get to the second level. Like Iupati, Collins is an excellent pulling guard because of his dangerous combination of quickness and power.
With Collins, the 49ers have a guy who can play multiple positions along the offensive line. That should come in handy for a team lacking depth at both guard and tackle.
Kevin White, WR, West Virginia
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If I had to choose between Kevin White and Amari Cooper, I would go with the talented Alabama receiver; however, I envision a different answer in a few months.
At 6'1'', Cooper doesn't have the elite height and speed combination that the NFL covets in high first-round selections. Yes, Cooper will turn out to be a really good receiver in the pros, but I think White has a chance to be special.
At 6'3", 210 pounds, White has all the tools to be an excellent vertical and red-zone threat. White's best attribute is his ability to high-point a ball in traffic. He is a sensational leaper, and his large hands give him a significant advantage when it comes to making catches in traffic.
White is like a raw version of Dallas Cowboys receiver Dez Bryant. Like Bryant, White isn't super fast, but he has more than enough speed and jumping ability to be a factor as a deep threat.
We could see White rise on big boards the closer we get to the draft.
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