2019 NFL Draft: What 49ers hope to learn at Scouting Combine this week

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The 49ers will be looking very closely at the edge rushers -- and several other players -- at this week's NFL Scouting Combine in Indianapolis. They will see how 2019 NFL Draft prospects perform on the field at Lucas Oil Stadium, but what the 49ers learn off of it could be even more important. 

Ohio State edge rusher Nick Bosa is one of the top prospects set to attend the combine, and someone who the 49ers could target if he's available when they pick No. 2 overall. While Bosa, and his representation claim that he is now 100-percent healthy, the extensive medical testing that happens at the combine can confirm or debunk his status. 

The medical dive into a player’s health is so comprehensive at the combine that some players have been informed of injuries that they didn’t even know that they had. Players routinely are also asked to return to Indianapolis several weeks after the combine in the lead-up to the draft to see if their conditions have improved. 

It’s important to note that while some discoveries in a player’s medical exam drop their draft stock, the rare player can perform well beyond the predictions. Former 49ers running back Frank Gore is a perfect example, as the University of Miami product has exceeded expectations by playing 14 seasons despite suffering two ACL tears in college. 

Questions about a player's off-field history will also be addressed, too. Three players whose combine invitations were rescinded because of prior convictions involving violence were informed that they would still be allowed to go through the medical examinations and interviews in Indianapolis.

Mississippi defensive tackle Jeffrey Simmons was one of the players who would have been allowed to interview, but he will not attend as he recovers from tearing his ACL in training.

Louisiana Tech defensive end Jaylon Ferguson and Colorado State wide receiver Preston Williams are still banned from participating in drills, but both will also go through the medical exams and be available for team personnel to interview. 

Mississippi State edge rusher Montez Sweat will have to answer questions surrounding his background.  There has still been no public explanation why he was suspended by Michigan State coach Mark Dantonio in Sweat's second season with the Spartans. The suspension led to his subsequent transfer to a community college, before he ultimately landed at Mississippi State to finish his college career. 

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Sweat oddly avoided the media when he was at the Senior Bowl, and didn't speak about his past. In Indianapolis, he will not have that luxury, and will be required to be available for questions. 

The 49ers and Raiders spent extensive time with Sweat in Mobile, AL., and likely already know what happened. His performance at the Senior Bowl put his name on the map, and he could raise his draft stock even more with a great performance at the combine. 

Many other questions will be answered in Indianapolis. Former A's first-round pick Kyler Murray’s actual height and weight will be measured and announced publicly. Kentucky edge rusher Josh Allen could even show he has enough to be the number one pick over Bosa.

Players will be under the microscope and their efforts, or lack thereof, can change the trajectory of their NFL career. 

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