The coronavirus pandemic has changed the reality for everyone and sports has been no exception.
For the NFL, the pre-draft process has changed with pro days and visits canceled as we all work to flatten the curve. While this pre-draft process will be different, general manager John Lynch has promised to make no excuses and that the 49ers will be as prepared as possible for the draft, which now reportedly will be held in a TV studio and not in Las Vegas.
As such, the 49ers had two FaceTime visits with Michigan State defensive lineman Kenny Willekes and TCU offensive lineman Cordel Iwuagwu, the prospects told Justin Melo of The Draft Wire.
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Willekes, 6-foot-3, 264 pounds, is an edge rusher whose motor and competitiveness are his best traits. While not the most athletically-gifted rusher in the class, Willekes still was ultra-productive during his time at Michigan State. A former walk-on, Willekes racked up 22 sacks and 47.5 for a loss from 2017-2019 for the Spartans. He was named first-team All-Big Ten twice and also was named the 2018 Big Ten Defensive Lineman of the Year.
He projects as a high-floor player who will at the very least be a solid rotational 4-3 defensive end. He is projected to go in the fourth or fifth round. The 49ers do not currently own a fourth-round pick, having traded it to the Denver Broncos in the Emmanuel Sanders trade. They do own two fifth-round picks, and it wouldn't be surprising to see them trade down earlier in the draft to recoup assets.
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As for Iwuagwu, the 6-foot-3, 309-pound offensive guard is very athletic but needs to work on maintaining blocks at the second level. He's able to get to the second level easily due to his athleticism but needs to be more polished as a run-blocker. He's expected to be a late-round pick or a preferred undrafted free agent signee.
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Most of the attention on the 49ers' draft will be focused on what they do at No. 13 overall after acquiring the pick from the Indianapolis Colts in the DeForest Buckner trade. With a loaded receiver class, the 49ers could land CeeDee Lamb, Jerry Jeudy or Henry Ruggs. They also could look to fill the hole left by Buckner by drafting South Carolina defensive tackle Javon Kinlaw.
While that No. 13 pick will get all the attention, later-round guys like Willekes and perhaps Iwuagwu are what make a rookie class complete.