I don't know if I got this exactly right, but John Lynch seemed to suggest that 50% of the players the Niners evaluated as draft-worthy prospects in the Fall, actually returned to play another year in college. He attributed this to NIL money. At least this year, that means later round picks aren't going to be as valuable than they might have been in previous years.
Maybe when the extra Covid year works its way through the system and 4 year NIL players becomes the norm, we'll be back to the same numbers of draft-rated players as has been the norm, but for this year at least, NIL is restricting the numbers of draft quality players and many guys will be drafted this year who aren't typically good enough to be drafted.
This also gives reason to believe the Niners are planning to trade their 6th and 7th round picks to move up in the draft.
Now watch the NCAA eliminate restrictions on years eligible to play college sports. Then the NFL might have to worry.
Maybe when the extra Covid year works its way through the system and 4 year NIL players becomes the norm, we'll be back to the same numbers of draft-rated players as has been the norm, but for this year at least, NIL is restricting the numbers of draft quality players and many guys will be drafted this year who aren't typically good enough to be drafted.
This also gives reason to believe the Niners are planning to trade their 6th and 7th round picks to move up in the draft.
Now watch the NCAA eliminate restrictions on years eligible to play college sports. Then the NFL might have to worry.
