Sunday, April 26, 2026

Kansas: Back To The Well


 Five offensive linemen reached at least 20.3 mph during the 40-yard dash, led by Kansas tackle Enrique Cruz with a max speed of 20.69 mph. Do you think he wins the swing OT job?

28 comments:

  1. Lowe will be the swing tackle the next 2 seasons. I see Cruz on the PS next year. Then hopefully on the 53 in 27 and the swing tackle in 28

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    1. Jaylon Moore was picked in Round 4 and as a rookie, he appeared in seven games and started three.

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    2. It has less to do with Cruz and more to do with Lowe. The 49ers paid Lowe quite a bit. I don't see them cutting him. I don't know enough about Cruz to have a strong opinion. What I know and have heard about Lowe tells me he is a good to very good swing tackle

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    3. I posted his PFF grades below in response to Scooter agreeing with you. Graded out 63rd out of 89 overall.

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    4. 63rd overall, one would imagine, is about average for a backup OT.

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    5. That then begs the question: Can Cruz be slightly better than average? He's got experience at both OT positions.

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  2. Cruz has a chance to beat out Pleasants for the OT4 spot on the 53. But Lowe will be the swing OT on game day.

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    1. 61.4 Pro Football Focus grade (63rd of 89).
      PFF pass blocking score 67.1 and a run blocking score of 56.8

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  3. Over 60% of Kaelon Black’s 1,000+ yards in 2025 came after contact.

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  4. As for the rampant outrage over our draft picks, just keep in mind that grades are being put on tests that haven't even been taken yet.

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    1. Yeah, makes me glad the good folks that post here are all pretty sane of mind. The folks having meltdowns about the draft picks on Twitter-verse really need to take a breathe!

      It's all fine to discuss (rationally) the potential pitfalls of "overdrafting" based on perceived value, and how that has worked out historically. But we'll only know in 2-3 years whether the draft picks were actually good, bad or otherwise.

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    2. One of the problems with the combine is that it can lead people astray in their thinking. All it really does is assign numbers to metrics, which can serve as a guide but never tell the whole story. The ability to decipher tape is more important.

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    3. Great point, UC.
      It wasn't that long ago when QB Zac Wilson had reporters and social media wow'd at his pre-draft passing workout.
      This draft like many before, can't be graded until 2-3 years down the road.
      As I said a couple of days ago, the 49ers finished the 2025 with 13 wins with young and many key players being injured. That tells me that this team is doing something right.

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  5. Niners have signed former Dolphins 6th round safety Patrick McMorris, per his agency.

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  6. The 49ers still have leverage in the Aiyuk situation. As Lynch said while holding up his phone, "just give me a call." The question is, does Aiyuk still want to play football? My hope, is that if a team finds they need a WR in TC or even during in-season, they call Lynch with an offer for Aiyuk.

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    1. Send Aiyuk to Tenn for $1- if Saleh doesn't want him, maybe the Raiders so he can flame out in Vegas.... just play keep away w Daniels/Peters/Washington

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    2. My thought on Aiyuk is that he possibly doesn’t want to play now that he has his money. It could just have always been about money for him. Otherwise his actions really don’t make sense to me.

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  7. Aiyuk lost a potential $27mil. That definitely brings up the question if he has lost the desire to play again. I certainly can't remember the last time any professional athlete walked away from that kind of money.
    Aiyuk's situation is a very strange one, imho.

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    1. Actually, I also forgot about the extensive contract $ remaining...... nobody wants to touch that

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    2. This comment has been removed by the author.

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    3. Khalil Dinkins: What my AI browser responded about his pass-catching ability:

      "Khalil Dinkins has a limited but efficient pass-catching record at Penn State, totaling 37 receptions for 399 yards and seven touchdowns over his college career. His receiving production was largely constrained by his role as a primary blocking tight end behind higher-profile targets like Tyler Warren and Theo Johnson, resulting in him never reaching 50 receiving yards in a single game.

      Despite the low volume, Dinkins demonstrated high reliability and scoring ability when targeted:

      - Nearly 20% of his catches resulted in touchdowns, including seven career scores.
      - Senior Year (2025): He caught 14 passes for 167 yards and two touchdowns, starting seven games and earning Honorable Mention All-Big Ten honors.

      Scouting Assessment: Analysts note he has marginal body of work as a receiver with an underdeveloped route tree, though he executes delays well and adjusts to the ball outside his frame. His pass-catching tape is described as underwhelming due to lack of opportunities rather than inability, with projections suggesting he needs a team willing to cultivate these skills."

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  8. Carver Willis like most rookies will need to be more consistent but it's the refinement of certain elements in his technique that will get him over the hump.

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  9. True. Besides this, there is still the question on whether he's a full-go after his knee injury.

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  10. The 49ers invited Houston K Ethan Sanchez to their rookie minicamp, per Fowler.

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  11. Stribling's best route is the dig with an 83.3% success rate. An important route in Shanahan's offense and one of Brock Purdy's favorites.

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  12. Drafting him made so much sense. When would we get another opportunity to sign a guy like this?

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  13. The Brownies snagged both KC Concepcion and Denzel Boston. The Brownies! What is going on?

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  14. The 49ers have signed RB Sincere McCormick, per his agency
    BLSportsGroup.

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Aiyuk Wars

(1) If Aiyuk doesn’t show up at the 49ers facility ready to participate, the team can attach a DNR (Did Not Report) designation on him for ...