CFP Viewing Guide
Disappointed in this terrible season? Itching to watch meaningful football into January that doesn’t feature degenerate organizations such as the Chiefs and the Eagles? Below is a viewing guide for the College Football Playoff, if all you care about is keeping an eye out for players who the Niners might draft come spring. For each of the eight remaining teams, I’ve highlighted (or tried to highlight) one player who might be a good fit for us, a second-best option, and any other players of potential interest.
It’s very early in the evaluation process, so I’ve only included guys currently ranked in the top 100ish by whatever media outlet. I’ve also (mostly) included dudes at positions that may be of genuine need in the first three rounds. Needs such as offensive line, where we have an aging Hall of Famer, a homerun rookie, and–uh…room for improvement; defensive line, which needs an influx of front- and back-end talent–with our without Javon Hargrave; tight end/fullback–to give us an heir apparent to Kittle, a potential replacement for Juice, and the double tight potential that has seemingly alluded us for years; and secondary, where we’re strong with young talent but still likely losing 2-3 contributors from this season.
OHIO STATE
This Buckeyes team is loaded with talent, and–despite a season-ending knee injury–#71 OT, Josh Simmons (1st round) could be their first player off the board. He’s big, athletic, and skilled both as a pass protector and in the high-movement run-blocking schemes we prioritize, giving him the two-way potential to become an immediate starter and long-term bookend along our OL. Now the injury is a question mark until he gets through medicals, and there’s some concern that–due to the timing of it–his improvement this year wasn’t properly tested against elite competition. But—as we know—the Niners typically don’t like taking offensive linemen high unless they have truly elite tools and Simmons could present the right blend of size, talent, and movement skills for the Niners to draft him in the top half of the first round.
Runner-Up: Ohio State could have three starters along the DL drafted by the end of the second round, and realistically any of them could fit here, but I’m going to highlight #91 DT, Tyleik Williams (1st-2nd). With his size (6’2” 322 lbs.), athleticism, and strength, the potential is quite obvious–even if the consistency leaves something to be desired. This is an intriguing and deep defensive tackle class that features better interior rushers than Williams, but he is—at least—a high-level run defender and he’s shown enough flashes as a pass rusher to think he might be able to put it all together.
Others: #44 DE, JT Tuimoloau (1st-2nd) and #33 DE, Jack Sawyer (2nd) were both former five-star defensive ends who have rounded into high-end starters—even if neither of them are game breakers. They’re both smart, high-motor guys, with JT being the more versatile (with more pass-rush potential) while Sawyer seems like a long-term run-stuffing specialist whose a bit too stiff to rack up major sacks… I’m not as high on #2 WR, Emeka Egbuka (1st-2nd) as a lot of other people. I think he’s got the savvy and route running to be a solid pro, but I typically want more from a first-round receiver. His “always a bridesmaid” college career makes me question the ceiling for a guy going this high… the same goes for their CB duo of the long and rangy #1 CB, Davison Igbonisun (2nd-3rd) and post-first-round-hype #10 CB, Denzel Burke (2nd-3rd), although both could rise quickly if they don’t get torched by Oregon again in the quarterfinals… Finally, the Buckeyes have two running backs who could get drafted by the end of day 2, but since I’d rather not put into existence the idea of drafting a back that early, I won’t even mention them.
OREGON
If we’re looking for a disruptive presence on the inside, we could do much worse than #55 DT, Derrick Harmon (1st round), whose counting stats (5 sacks) aren’t incredible but is one of the nation’s leaders in interior pressures. He doesn’t look as impressive as some of the other guys he’ll be compared against (and testing will be interesting), but his constant presence in opposing backfields is impossible to ignore. He’s a one-gap shooter through and through who would slot seamlessly into our wide 9 front. His best comp is probably Javon Hargrave.
Runner-Up: #76, OT Josh Conerly (1st-2nd) may not declare for the draft this year, and–given how raw he still is–that could be the right call. He’s likely going to polarize a lot of scouts and picking him in the low teens feels like a sizable stretch, but he’s a former five-star whose got the right size and high-end athleticism to become a long-term starter outside in our scheme, even if he needs to add refinement and play strength. I don’t think he’s a plug-and-play type, so–if we were to draft him–I’d want to trade down until much later in the first to do so.
Others: #3 TE, Terrance Ferguson (3rd round+) has been a legitimate contributor for four years in Eugene, registering 17+ grabs each year in college (with 38 so far as a senior). He looks pretty athletic on tape—which is more important for our TEs/FBs than most due to our complicated edge blocking and reliance on YAC yards—and scouts expect him to test well… Over the years we’ve enjoyed many a jumbo Oregon defensive lineman and #1 DE, Jordan Burch (3rd round) could be next in line. Especially if he can play inside and out. He’s a 6-6 295-pound end who paces Oregon with 8.5 sacks… Out wide #7 WR, Evan Stewart (2nd-3rd) and #18 WR, Tez Johnson (3rd) are both somewhat undersized big-play threats. Stewart is a bit bigger and has more outside receiver potential while Tez is a more polished route runner but his size (5’10” 165 lbs.) probably limits him to the slot.
GEORGIA
If we don’t count Carson Beck, every Bulldog who may get drafted in the first three rounds is probably a good schematic fit for us, so I’ll zag and go with #24 S, Malaki Starks (1st). Safety is far from a pressing need for our team, but I have a soft spot for instinctual playmakers on the back end and Starks has the football intelligence and versatility to line up all over the field. We’ve seen how a smart and versatile safety/nickel can quickly unlock a new identity for an NFL defense (Brian Branch - 2023, Detroit; Kyle Hamilton - 2022, Baltimore). Taking Starks would very much be a “best player available” sort of pick, but it could also signal a schematic evolution for our defense.
Runner-Up: While we’re on the topic of position-agnostic defenders whose selection could unlock some newfound schematic flexibility, #11 OLB/DE, Jalon Walker (1st) is as intriguing as any prospect on our radar. He backed up future pros his first two years in Athens–playing mostly as a third-down edge rusher–before becoming a starting stand-up linebacker as a junior. Due to the lack of snaps and how Georgia has bounced him around, his instincts are a bit of a question mark. That would be a massive red flag for me if I thought he was going to stick at linebacker, but–in our scheme–I see him more as a guy who would speed rush opposite Bosa and moonlight as a drop man for the occasional trap coverage. He is an S-tier athlete who needs a developmental plan, but the ceiling is enticing.
Others: #13 DE, Mykell Williams (1st) is your more traditional hand-on-ground edge, and while he lacks Walker’s high-end explosiveness, he’s strong, long, and a great mover. He needs to show more consistency and put it all together, but he’s flashed enough with big moments in big games (4 sacks in two games against Texas this year) to think he’s on the right path… If we’re looking for interior offensive line (and god, we should be) Georgia has three dudes who could be drafted by the end of day 2. #55 C, Jared Wilson (3rd) lacks ideal experience and length but is a high-end athlete and a nice scheme fit because of that. Like Wilson, #53 OG, Dylan Fairchild (2nd-3rd) is also one of the top players in the country at his position and a quality athlete—even if he needs to add some strength. And #69 OG, Tate Ratledge (2nd-3rd) is basically everything you’d expect from a dude whose name is Ratledge, plays guard, and wears #69. He’s strong and tough and could likely start at guard for us as a rookie… Finally, #4 TE, Oscar Delp (3rd) was buried for years behind all-world tight end Brock Bowers but–despite middling production–has nice athleticism and YAC potential. Like Ferguson from Oregon, he may be a riser as the draft process continues.
TEXAS
Is he a tackle? Is he a guard? Luckily, we’re not picky cause we desperately need both 🙃. NFL teams are torn on the true position of Outland Winner #78 OT/G, Kelvin Banks (1st), but it’s not hard to imagine him starting at either right tackle or guard for us next season (after Banks leaves and we move Puni to LG). Our need for linemen in the short- and long-term also means that we could feasibly let him start at guard as a rookie before developing into a tackle down the road. He’ll need to improve his balance and figure out how to sustain better on our long stretch blocks, but he’s got the athleticism to get there.
Runner-Up: Like Starks from Georgia, I’m throwing another hyper versatile, heady DB into the mix with #7 DB, Jahdae Barron (1st-2nd round). More of a day 3 prospect before he proved he could play outside corner this year, Barron can truly play any position in the secondary and is at his best in a zone-heavy scheme where he can read and make plays on the ball. You know, like ours. I doubt the Niners are looking to spend a first-rounder on a defensive back, but Barron’s draft stock is a bit TBD at the moment, and it’s not hard to see Lynch and Co. falling in love with his football intelligence and versatility.
Others: If we don’t go for Banks, perhaps we go for fellow bookend #56 OT, Cameron Williams (1st), who is getting Amarius Mims comps due to his incredible size, athletic ability, and untapped potential. Like Mims, Williams is only a one-year starter, and while I don’t know if I’d go as far as to say he’s on the former Georgia standout’s level of raw talent, the upside is real. To this point, the Niners have largely avoided these types of low-experience, high-upside prospects along the offensive line, but hey, might as well throw his name out there… Speaking of high potential with question marks, #7 WR, Isaiah Bond (2nd) is far from consistent and you know he’d be an early candidate for the Kyle Shanahan “in this receiver’s ass” award, but the athleticism, easy movement skills, and deep speed are highly intriguing. If he’s wired right, he could easily be a better pro than a college player.
PENN STATE
In the semifinal blowout over SMU, Penn State ran #44 TE, Tyler Warren (1st) on a fly sweep handoff to operate a speed option pass. So yeah. Kyle Shanahan’s gonna love this guy. Under new OC Andy Kotelnicki, Warren had truly rare usage for a college tight end, tallying a 92-1095-6 line as Penn State’s best receiving option by a mile. I’m interested to see how he tests, but he’s a smooth mover who’s got A-level versatility and hands, and he’d be a great fit in our offense. The sticking point? He’s probably a first-round talent, and that’s too high for us to take a tight end. But if he were to fall into the second… I gotta imagine we’d be interested.
Runner-Up: I don’t know where Penn State continually finds these guys, but they’ve got another edge rusher with elite athletic traits coming down the pipe in #11 DE, Abdul Carter (1st). He moved from standup OLB to full-time edge this season, and–unlike Chop Robinson a year ago–has found immediate production; he currently leads the Big Ten in TFLs (22) and sacks (11). One year isn’t enough time to figure out all the nuances of pass rushing, so he’ll need some time to develop and may start out as a subpackage rusher in our turbo sets while honing his technique and strength against the run. But the potential for a full-time speed rusher opposite Bosa is sky-high.
Others: The Nittany Lions have another defensive lineman who might go in the first few rounds in #33 DE, Dani Dennis-Sutton (3rd+), but I don’t know if he has the athletic profile to intrigue us unless he falls into day 3 and/or we feel like he can play inside… It’s not hard to see #10 RB, Nick Singleton (Day 3) having some success in our running game, but–as noted before–we shouldn’t be taking a running back in the first two days unless they’re an elite talent who has fallen tremendously. But maybe we can get Singleton for good value if he falls on day 3.
NOTRE DAME
Like Simmons at Ohio State, you won’t be seeing #20 CB, Benjamin Morrison (1st-2nd) in the playoffs after he suffered a torn hip labrum back in October, but–also like Simmons–he may be a first-rounder this year nonetheless. He’s got good size, ball skills, and production, but testing will be critical as there were always questions about his deep speed and transitions. Those concerns are no doubt greater after his injury.
Runner-Up: A two-time All-American with 13(!) interceptions over the past two years, #0 S, Xavier Watts (?) won the Bronko Nagurski Award for the nation’s top defender last year, but his draft evals seem all over the place. He’s a physical presence and with great ball skills, but his change of direction, lack of top-end speed, and overall awareness in coverage have some scouts questioning how he transitions to the NFL level. Perhaps he’s limited to a box role in the NFL or perhaps he’s a Huf-type who can be had at a discount.
BOISE STATE
The Broncos have one player likely to get picked in the top 100 of the draft, and it’s #2 RB, Ashton Jeanty (1st). We’re not taking a running back in the first round, and Jeanty’s certainly not falling out of it, so there's not a lot to talk about here. But he is quite awesome.
ARIZONA STATE
Uh… that white running back? But honestly, not really. #4 RB, Cam Skattebo (Day 3) is probably the Sun Devils’ best prospect but he’s not a great fit with our scheme. He’s not fast or particularly explosive through the hole. He’s more of a banger subpackage type. Maybe he can gain like twenty pounds and play full back…? And also learn to block? But at that point, we should probably just pick a guy who plays TE/H-back already. But if we want the whitest running back room since the 1950’s, we know who to call.
BONUS: NORTH DAKOTA STATE (FCS Champ Game)
If you’re really itching for some college football, #74 OL, Grey Zabel (2nd-3rd) is a small school prospect who has ascended from preseason Day 3 status to (likely) somewhere on Day 2. A starter at left tackle for the Bison with great feet and intelligence, he could legitimately play any of five positions along the offensive line, even if his lack of ideal bulk and length probably pushes him inside. The movement skills are a great fit for our scheme and many think Zabel projects best at center—a position where we desperately need an upgrade.
Go Niners 🏈👍