In this scouting edition of Niners Daily, we highlight a few NFL Draft prospects to keep an eye out for in the inaugural College Football Playoff title game on Monday in Texas.
Draft Stock
Between the two schools, Oregon and Ohio State have seven players committed to participating in the 2015 Senior Bowl – six if you take out Ducks cornerback Ifo Ekpre-Olomu, who sustained a knee injury in December.
But before heading to Mobile, Ala., for the Jan. 24 game, those remaining six players will be on display at AT&T Stadium fighting for the national championship.
According to NFL.com, the 49ers top needs for the upcoming draft are a backup quarterback and help on both lines.
From cornerback Jimmie Ward (30th overall) to offensive guard Brandon Thomas (100th) and beyond, here are San Francisco's 12 selections.
With that in mind, lets take a look at the top seniors slated to play for the Ducks and Buckeyes on Monday.
OSU DL Michael Bennett (6-2, 288):
A potential first- or second-round pick, Bennett has the versatility to play in a 4-3 or 3-4 base defense in the NFL. He has tallied six sacks in his last six games.
UO LT Jake Fisher (6-6, 292):
Considered the linchpin of the Ducks offensive line, Fisher missed two games this season, one of which was the team's lone loss of the year. In that defeat to the University of Arizona, Oregon rushed for nearly 100 fewer yards than it averaged the rest of the season (144 vs. 242).
UO C Hroniss Grasu (6-3, 298):
A three-time First-Team All-Pac-12 honoree, Grasu showed well in his team's semifinal victory over Florida State by containing All-American Eddie Goldman. Grasu is a potential second- or third-round pick.
OSU CB Doran Grant (5-11, 193):
Voted First-Team All-Big Ten by the coaches, Grant recorded five interceptions this season for the Buckeyes.
OSU WR Devin Smith (6-1, 199):
Averaged 27.7 yards per catch this year, amassing 886 total yards and 12 touchdowns, including one versus Alabama in Ohio State's semifinal win. Smith's big-play ability is an attractive quality at the next level.
OSU TE Jeff Heuerman (6-5, 255):
Battling an ankle injury, Heuerman hasn't put up gaudy numbers (17 catches, 207 yards), but he is a dependable blocker and has a big frame that should translate well to the next level.
Offseason Grind
A couple of weeks removed from their team's season ending, two of the 49ers marquee players showed up on social media appearing already back at work.
Colin Kaepernick posted a photo of himself looking over Phoenix's nighttime lights. In the caption, the 49ers signal-caller tagged teammate Kendall Gaskins and Cleveland Browns cornerback Joe Haden.
Kaepernick is reportedly in Arizona to train with two-time MVP Kurt Warner.
Meanwhile, Frank Gore was spotted on former San Francisco Giants and current Miami Marlins outfielder Michael Morse's Twitter account. The pair also trained together last year with 49ers linebacker .
Gore is a free agent this offseason after posting his eighth 1,000-yard rushing season in 2014.
Back in the gym with THE #Gore @49ers @SFGiants #sfunite pic.twitter.com/A08NabfeWy — Double M's (@Mcode38) January 12, 2015
