San Francisco 49ers general manager John Lynch in attendance for marquee event of pro day season
After having 18 players on show at the NFL Combine, the Michigan pro day was always going to be the biggest of the pre-draft season. So it has proved with the Wolverines boasting the biggest NFL turnout of any pro day this year, with nine general managers and seven head coaches in Ann Arbor to […]
After having 18 players on show at the NFL Combine, the Michigan pro day was always going to be the biggest of the pre-draft season.
So it has proved with the Wolverines boasting the biggest NFL turnout of any pro day this year, with nine general managers and seven head coaches in Ann Arbor to take in proceedings.
Among the GMs in town, John Lynch of the San Francisco 49ers.
Michigan has been a popular hunting ground for the 49ers of late. San Francisco has picked three players from the school across the last three drafts.
The Niners took Ambry Thomas in the third round in 2021. Last year, the 49ers picked kicker Jake Moody in the third round and wide receiver Ronnie Bell in the seventh.
In 2024, there are a plethora of potential targets from Michigan for the Niners.
While Lynch won't have much interest in watching J.J. McCarthy throw the ball, he may well be intrigued by Roman Wilson and Cornelius Johnson catching it. Wilson in particular has separation skills the Niners covet at receiver and speed to be a consistent big-play threat.
Former wide receiver Mike Sainristil should be of great intrigue to San Francisco. After a 2023 season in which he recorded six interceptions, Sainristil has established himself as the premier nickel corner in the class and could fill one of the 49ers' most pressing needs.
Speaking of pressing needs, Lynch will get to watch interior offensive lineman Zak Zinter do some portions of the workout after tibia and fibula in November.
On the defensive side of the trenches, Kris Jenkins could be a day-two selection on the interior as an eventual long-term starter. Javon Hargrave is entering his age-31 season and Maliek Collins is a free agent in 2026. On the edge, Jalyn Harrell projects well as an explosive supplementary rusher who had nine tackles for loss and 6.5 sacks in Michigan's National Championship season.
And with Dre Greenlaw recovering from a torn Achilles and a free agent next offseason, it would be no surprise for Lynch and the 49ers to have interest in linebacker Junior Colson as a day-two pick as they head into a draft that is crucial for their hopes of remaining a Super Bowl contender in 2024 and beyond.
Austin Ekeler does the San Francisco 49ers no favors with his huge Christian McCaffrey claim
It might complicate things.
