A few NFC names drew strong reviews in Jeremy Fowler’s latest positional rankings, with praise flowing for players in San Francisco, Arizona and Seattle.
In San Francisco, 49ers fullback Kyle Juszczyk had especially high marks for undrafted rookie running back Kaelon Black after spending the offseason program with him. Juszczyk pointed to Black’s build, burst and work habits, saying, “I’ve been so impressed by Kaelon Black,” Juszczyk said, via the 49ers Talk podcast.
“He No. 1 is a ball of muscle. This guy is absolutely jacked and he’s explosive.
That’s really what has stood out to me is how twitchy and explosive he gets through that hole.”
Juszczyk also highlighted the rookie’s approach away from the field. “Been really impressed with him physically, mentally as well.
Like just a guy that seems to get it, that works hard, that cares about the classroom. So, I think there’s a lot of good things ahead for Kaelon, and I think he’s going to help us.”
Arizona had two players singled out in Fowler’s tight end and tackle rankings. Trey McBride landed in the top ten among tight ends and got a strong scouting report from an NFC coordinator: “Ball skills, ball in hand, physical ability - just an extremely impressive player across the board. And not bad in the run game.”
Paris Johnson Jr. also earned an honorable mention from an NFC executive. The assessment was brief but pointed: “Arrow pointing up. I think he can be elite.”
Seattle showed up prominently on Fowler’s defensive tackle list, where Leonard Williams checked in at No. 1.
One anonymous NFL coordinator called him “the most important player on that Super Bowl team” and added, “He’s the total package. You can line him up in front of the right tackle, the right guard, the center, the left guard, the left tackle - he can beat them all.
He’s always had game-changing ability, and he’s putting it all together now. And those around him are making plays because of it, too.”
Byron Murphy also received an honorable mention after tying Williams with seven sacks on the year. A veteran defensive coach said, “He’s so explosive. Teams double him, and he can break through it,” said a veteran defensive coach.
Fowler’s cornerback rankings included Devon Witherspoon, and the praise there was just as forceful. An anonymous coordinator called him “Outstanding in the slot, can play on the perimeter, violent, physical and impacts games [in ways] that don’t show up in [the] stat sheet.
And he’s so twitched up as an athlete. He’s just a really good football player - I don’t care that he’s not a traditional outside corner.
He’s the ultimate tone-setter.”
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