The end of the 2018 regular season means it's time for playoff football. Well, not for the 49ers and Raiders. For the Bay Area, it's NFL draft season.
When Kentucky takes the field Tuesday against Penn State, one player could be an option for either the 49ers or Raiders with their top pick. Plus, there's two others the Bay Area should pay attention to in the Citrus Bowl.
Josh Allen, OLB/DE, Kentucky
Will Allen be the 49ers' selection with the No. 2 pick in the draft? He very well could be. But if he falls to No. 4, the Raiders could jump at the chance of adding him.
Allen is the exact kind of prospect both teams badly need. And they'll both get an front-row view of him at the Senior Bowl.
The #49ers are coaching the Senior Bowl. Kentucky pass rusher Josh Allen (6-5, 260) has already accepted his invitation. Kyle Shanahan and John Lynch will get an up-close look at 14 sacks and 18.5 tackles for loss in 2018.pic.twitter.com/5KPoieuBZj— Rob Lowder (@Rob_Lowder) December 31, 2018
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The All-American has 21 sacks over the last two years and 29 tackles for loss in that span. Matt Miller of Bleacher Report has him going to the 49ers in his post-regular season mock draft, saying the 6-foot-5, 260-pounder is "the next best move (after Nick Bosa) for a team desperate to add a pass rush."
Amani Oruwariye, CB, Penn State
The 49ers should hope Oruwariye falls to the second round. They finished the regular season last in the NFL with only two interceptions and need to add to their cornerback depth with too many question marks.
Oruwariye has great size for the position at 6-1 and 203 pounds, and as The Draft Network points out, he "anticipates route breaks and combinations at a high level."
Amani Oruwariye is good at football. #DraftTwitter pic.twitter.com/JsLWVhQ6iD— Nick Farabaugh (@FarabaughFB) December 31, 2018
#PennState CB Amani Oruwariye (rSR - 6', 209) is one of the top Senior DB's in the nation. Per PFF, 81.9 grade in 2017.
vs Michigan State - 8 targets, 1 reception, 6 yards, 1 INT
One of the prettiest INT's you'll see. #NFLDraft #DraftTwitter #CollegeFootball #nfl #CFB #Lions pic.twitter.com/mLTCU71G10— d money 313 (@airdeemoney30) September 30, 2018
Over the last two seasons, Oruwariye has seven interceptions and 18 passes defensed. While he isn't seen as a No. 1 need, the rangy corner is actually predicted to go to the Raiders with the team's third pick in the first round, according to CBS Sports' latest mock draft.
Here's how 49ers and Raiders fans can watch Kentucky play Penn State in the Citrus Bowl:
When: Tuesday, Jan. 1, at 10 a.m. PT
TV Channel: ABC
Live Stream: ABC Go App
