San Francisco 49ers: Latest Combine News and Rumors
The NFL Scouting Combine kicks off on February 17, and the San Francisco 49ers will assuredly be paying close attention to a number of impact prospects who will be on display at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis.
All the recent coaching changes that have headlined San Francisco's offseason thus far will carry some implications into what happens with the 49ers' draft plans. But there are still some pressing needs, and general manager Trent Baalke will look to avoid the same type of draft catastrophe that befell him back in 2012.
With over 300 prospects participating in the combine, Baalke and the 49ers scouting department will have the next level of information with which to determine their draft strategy when the draft starts on April 30.
The combine might also provide some insight into how San Francisco approaches free agency.
What are the need-to-know bits of information and news surrounding the 49ers as they approach the combine? Are there some players who will draw San Francisco's interest?
Let's try to answer these questions and more.
The Combine Isn't Just About Prospects
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The NFL Scouting Combine invariably provides a starting point for the free-agency period.
James Brady of Niners Nation points out how this period is essentially a "soft launch for free agency" considering the plethora of coaches, general managers and player agents—who are looking to line up future clients—who are on hand.
While free agency hasn't started, there is the opportunity for agents and GMs to make preliminary talks. Some will be with potentially new suitors, while others can be with incumbent organizations.
This sets the stage for some of the immediate deals that take place at the start of the free-agency period.
Could it happen with some of the current crop of 49ers free agents?
Running back Frank Gore, wide receiver Michael Crabtree, offensive guard Mike Iupati and cornerback Chris Culliver are some of the notable free agents hitting the market this offseason.
It's possible, perhaps even likely, that some of the aforementioned free agents will get a better feel for the market. This will influence the course of what their respective agents will pursue and whether or not the 49ers can remain in contention.
The Combine May Reveal Some of the 49ers' Approach in 2015
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General manager Trent Baalke has a lot of work in store for him as he prepares the team for the upcoming NFL draft.
With the exception of 2012, Baalke has had a solid history of successful draft classes in his tenure with San Francisco. But the complete change of coaches makes this year's draft that much more interesting.
According to Taylor Price of 49ers.com, Baalke will speak with both national and local media during the event. Price prompts questions surrounding what Baalke will say regarding the team's free agents, draft approach and overall strategy in 2015.
Whatever Baalke's words are, they should give us a glimpse into what San Francisco will try to do in the upcoming season. These comments will be highlighted by the new staff and some of the more notable elements that will accompany the franchise in coming months.
Prospect Performances Could Impact Decisions for Current Players
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San Francisco is going to have some pressing questions regarding incumbent veterans heading into 2015.
According to Over the Cap, the 49ers will have $1,348,658 of cap space in the upcoming season. That doesn't allow for a lot of wiggle room for free agency and contract negotiations.
Free agents like wideout Michael Crabtree and offensive guard Mike Iupati might have already priced themselves out of the 49ers' future. But on-roster players, like tight end Vernon Davis, could be affected by combine results as well.
Statistically, Davis had the worst season of his professional career since his rookie campaign in 2006. Counting for $6.97 million against the cap in 2015, Davis could be slated by the franchise as a cap casualty.
Like free agency, the combine will have some influence in determining the direction in which the 49ers want to go.
No. 2 tight end Vance McDonald hasn't exactly emerged as a bona fide receiving threat after two years at the pro level. And the 49ers could still be looking for a long-term solution at this position given that Davis has just one more year on his deal.
Unfortunately, there aren't a lot of top-tier tight ends who stand out in this year's draft. But one player who draws some attention is Minnesota tight end Maxx Williams.
Bleacher Report's Phil G. regards Williams as a potential prospect to watch at the combine. He cites his excellent hands and ability to line up in the slot as likable attributes.
Projected as a late first- or early second-round selection by CBSSports.com, Williams could be a Day 2 target should the 49ers like what they see at the combine.
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Interviews for Prospects Like WR Dorial Green-Beckham Will Be Critical
4 of 5Matt Barrows of The Sacramento Bee regards Oklahoma wide receiver Dorial Green-Beckham as the wideout with the most potential in this year's draft class. But Barrows also points out the various character concerns as a major obstacle. He writes:
"At 6-6, 225 pounds, Dorial Green-Beckham is the most physically gifted wideout available and one who certainly would give cornerbacks, safeties and defensive coordinators fits. However, his off-the-field baggage could scare away the 49ers who have preached "winning with class" since their recent coaching change.
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Green-Beckham unquestionably has Round 1 talent. But the red flags which mandated him leaving Missouri for Oklahoma prior to 2014 are just a part of the concern here.
Taylor Price of 49ers.com notes how important it is for each prospect to meet with the national media and with individual NFL teams. In Green-Beckham's case, there will certainly be questions surrounding some of his off-the-field decisions.
San Francisco has taken chances on players with similar red flags before. Last season, the 49ers nabbed standout linebacker Aaron Lynch in Round 5 even though he had some character concerns of his own.
Yet San Francisco will want to steer far away from any prospect who could display the problems such as those from Cleveland Browns wideout Josh Gordon.
In what direction will Green-Beckham go?
Wide Receiver Kevin White Will Be a Name to Watch
5 of 5It's almost a foregone conclusion that the 49ers will target a wide receiver in the early rounds of the 2015 NFL draft.
With wideouts Michael Crabtree and Brandon Lloyd hitting the open market, and fellow receiver Anquan Boldin entering the final year of his deal, San Francisco will be looking for a long-term, impact option at this position.
This year's draft class is not as deep as 2014, but there are some talented prospects to be had.
San Francisco has the No. 15 pick this year, which puts the team in a prime position to land one of the Round 1 targets at this position. According to Matt Barrows of The Sacramento Bee, West Virginia's Kevin White and Louisville's DeVante Parker are two names that could interest the 49ers with this pick.
But who will garner the most interest?
Per Taylor Price of 49ers.com, White is the player who should be highest on the radar. Price acknowledges that the majority of NFL analysts mock the 49ers selecting White as their Round 1 pick in 2015.
White could rise or fall based on combine results, which could change San Francisco's draft plans. But there isn't much doubt that the 49ers will be evaluating this talented player closely.
All statistics, records and accolades courtesy of Pro-Football-Reference.com and Sports-Reference.com unless otherwise indicated. Supplemental draft information courtesy of CBSSports.com.
Peter Panacy is a Featured Columnist for Bleacher Report, covering the San Francisco 49ers. Be sure to check out his entire archive on 49ers news, insight and analysis.
Follow him @PeterPanacy on Twitter.
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