The NFL draft is like a chess match played with shoulder pads. Coaches’ scheme, GMs’ bluff, and under-the-radar prospects wait for their moment to become queens on the board. In San Francisco, Kyle Shanahan—a man whose playbook reads like a Star Wars script—is eyeing a move that could reshape his trenches. Meanwhile, down in Dallas, Jerry Jones is polishing his star, hungry for a diamond in the rough. The stakes? A 270-pound disruptor with 15.5 sacks and a running back who’s spent two years quietly torching college defenses. Let the games begin.
Tulane defensive lineman Adin Huntington is no stranger to the grind. After bouncing from Kent State to Louisiana-Monroe before landing at Tulane, the 6’1”, 270-pound senior is finally turning heads. Per reports from Ryan Fowler, Huntington recently met with the 49ers and Cowboys, two teams craving defensive firepower. He’s perhaps the most explosive athlete on Tulane’s line. But can he shed blocks against NFL guards?”
Huntington’s scouting report reads like a mixed bag of fireworks. His 15.5 career sacks and ‘twitchy’ (per Owain Jones of College Sports Network) burst off the snap scream potential, but his lean frame and shaky hand technique raise red flags. Think of him as a baseball closer: dominant in short bursts but risky over nine innings. For the 49ers, whose defensive line ranked 23rd in sacks last year, Huntington’s upside might be worth a late-round flier.
“Tulane DL Adin Huntington met recently with the defensive staffs of the 49ers & #Cowboys.” https://t.co/EQMwYleRym
— Brandon Loree (@Brandoniswrite) April 17, 2025
Let’s break down Huntington’s game. His lateral agility lets him slash through gaps like a golf cart cutting across a fairway. He’s quick, relentless, and versatile enough to line up anywhere from nose tackle to edge. But at 270 pounds, he’s lighter than a Thanksgiving turkey left in the oven too long. Struggling to shed blocks? That’s a death sentence in the NFC West. Meanwhile, Kyle Shanahan isn’t just betting on defense.
Sources confirm the 49ers have shown “extensive” interest in Cincinnati running back Corey Kiner, a 1,150-yard rusher with a knack for breaking tackles. “I can do a little bit of everything,” Kiner told The Draft Network. With McCaffrey nearing 30, Shanahan’s eyeing insurance and competition. But why prioritize an RB (in Huntington) when the O-line needs help?
Kyle Shanahan’s vision: more than just flash
Here’s the twist. Shanahan knows McCaffrey’s shelf life. He also knows Kiner’s draft stock (projected Round 5-6) won’t break the bank. It’s a classic Shanahan move—finding value where others see depth. He’s a project. But if you need a third-down pass rusher, he can probably be your guy. For Dallas, still reeling from Micah Parsons’s workload, Huntington could be a rotational spark. For San Francisco?
A low-cost roll of the dice. While Huntington dominates headlines, Shanahan’s pursuit of Kiner reveals a deeper strategy. The 49ers’ offense relies on versatile backs who block, catch, and grind. Kiner fits the mold. His 5.7 yards per carry in 2024 and 19 bench-press reps at the Combine hint at a back built for Shanahan’s outside-zone schemes. “I loved running outside zone. We ran outside zone until the wheels fell off. And honestly, they never fell off,” Kiner laughed.
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA – FEBRUARY 11: Head coach Kyle Shanahan of the San Francisco 49ers interacts with Christian McCaffrey #23 prior to Super Bowl LVIII against the Kansas City Chiefs at Allegiant Stadium on February 11, 2024 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)
San Francisco’s draft board is a Rorschach test. Do they chase Huntington’s untapped potential or solidify their backfield with Kiner? History offers a clue. Since 2017, Shanahan and GM John Lynch have hit gold on Day 3 picks like George Kittle and Dre Greenlaw. Huntington’s athleticism and Kiner’s toughness fit that mold.
As draft night looms, remember this: The 49ers’ last Super Bowl win came behind a dominant line and a relentless pass rush. Huntington and Kiner won’t solve everything, but they’re threads in a larger tapestry. Or, as Friday Night Lights’ Coach Taylor once said, “Every man at some point confronts the tackle he can’t make.”
So, Niners fans—do you trust Shanahan to draft the next Kittle… or another Kinlaw?
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