Thursday, February 19, 2026

Under Pressure























Can Nick Zakelj reset his career after being cut the same way Colton McKivitz was able to do?

28 comments:

  1. You can only judge Zakelj on his preseason tape and I don't think McKivitz ever looked as bad in any of his games as Zakelj has looked like in his preseason performances

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    Replies
    1. Yeah, I don't see him ever developing into a decent starter. He'd have shown something by now. But he's fine as a back end of the roster/ PS depth piece and they need warm bodies for camp.

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  2. Are the Falcons going to franchise tag Kyle Pitts? If they don't I believe that it is a no brainer that the 49ers sign him. With what WRs are signing for Pitts at 13 to 16 mill is a steal. He could replace Kittle until he comes back and then they could use him in 12 sets or just flank him out and use him as WR 3

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  3. Kyle Pitts would be a great option. Isaiah Likely would be a great signing, as well. Much improved blocker and pass catcher that would flourish on the Niners, in my opinion

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  4. Oscar Delp, TE, Georgia is going to show how athletic he is at the combine.

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  5. NDSU Football RB Barika Kpeenu rushed for 1,005 yards and 20 TDs this past season 👀

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  6. A guy I've seen mentioned a few times as a possible OG FA target is Dylan Parham. He would make sense as a very athletic OL who they scouted during his draft year.

    He's also probably at the (upper end of the) price range they may consider. Mid tier OG money, I would expect.

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  7. Best separation win rates when lined up on the outside:

    [2025, min. 200 outside routes, we chart every route!]

    1. Davante Adams: 23.1%
    2. Jaxon Smith-Njigba - 20.4%
    3. Ricky Pearsall - 19.0%
    4. Puka Nacua - 17.5%
    5. Zay Flowers - 17.3%

    This is why Kruger's trade of Ricky makes no sense.

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    Replies
    1. Yeah, big overreaction by Krueg. If he stays healthy he's a good WR.

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    2. I agree on the overreaction. But, Ricky needs to stay on the field in order to validate his numbers and value. The talent is definitely there. The reliability has been in question.

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    3. AES
      RE Pearsall: I agree with you. Jacob Cowing, Jordan Watkins and Skyy Moore are WR's the 9ers also need to find out what,
      if anything, they can contribute in 2026

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    4. GEEP,
      Good point. But if the 49ers pick (more than likely) a WR or two through draft and FA, the current WR room may have a total face-lift. Cowing and Moore have yet to establish themselves. Watkins is likely safe in 2026 to prove himself. Moore may stick around for his Special Teams value. But my sense is that Cowing will be the odd man out, for starters.

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  8. Kittle n Bits:

    🔥 90.7 overall grade
    🔥 91.0 receiving grade (BEST among TEs)
    🔥 2.11 yards per route run
    🔥 11/14 contested catches

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  9. Utah TE Dallen Bentley 6'3", 262 lbs., did a bit of everything for Utah's offense, and has good timing/zone awareness.

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  10. Denzel Boston (6’4 209) Washington

    + Length/catch radius
    + Elite contested catch ability that was 10 for 13 or 76.9% on these opportunities in 2025
    + Just a 3.1% drop rate in 2025
    + Running through arm tackles after the catch
    + Punt return experience
    + Strong hands
    + Weapon in the red zone

    - Expected to run in the 4.5’s (plays faster on the field)
    - Doesn’t force a ton of missed tackles out in space after the catch
    - Not the most explosive receiver off the snap

    Draft projection: 1st/2nd round

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  11. I would be surprised if Boston is still on the board at draft pick #27.
    If he is, the 9ers should draft him!

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    Replies
    1. He wouldn't be my first choice for guys that may realistically be available at #27, though he would be my first choice of the WRs that may be available there.

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  12. Keith Abney II (5’11 195) Arizona State

    + Excellent instincts
    + Ball skills with 6 career interceptions
    + Impressive footwork
    + Physical at the catch point
    + Reliable tackler with just a 4.3% missed tackle rate in 2025
    + 44.4% completion rate allowed against him in 2025
    + Hip fluidity
    + Competitive nature

    - Can be grabby down the field
    - Had 6 penalties in 2025 after having 7 of them in 2024
    - Lacks elite size for an outside corner

    Draft projection: 1st/2nd round

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  13. Andre Fuller, DB, Toledo can Velcro you all over the field in man/match, and he has great field vision in off coverage. One to keep an eye on at the combine.

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  14. New Mexico ED Keyshawn James-Newby (6-2, 240) went from zero-star to 3rd-most QB pressures in CFB

    🥇Bain-83
    🥈Bailey-81
    🥉Newby-74
    🏅Mesidor-67

    Montana Tech➡️Idaho➡️NM=35+ starts

    🐺1st Team All-Frontier, Big Sky, & Mountain West
    🐺Explosive first step, attacks interior gaps

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  15. Highest contested catch rate among 2026 NFL Draft WRs:

    1. Carnell Tate, OSU (85.7%)
    2. Kevin Coleman Jr., MIZ (81.8%)
    3. Lewis Bond, BC (80.0%)
    4. Denzel Boston, UW (76.9%)
    5. Camden Brown, GASO (75.9%)
    6. KC Concepcion, TA&M (66.7%)
    7. Makai Lemon, USC (66.7%)
    8. Skyler Bell, UCONN (65.0%)
    9. CJ Daniels, MIA (64.7%)
    10. Ted Hurst, GSU (59.3%)
    11. Josh Cameron, BAY (59.3%)

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  16. Will Kacmarek TE Ohio State is probably the best blocking TE in this draft.

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