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NASHVILLE https://www.49ersfanshop.com/Aaron-Burbridge-Jersey , Tenn. (AP) — drafting a tight end in the first round was taboo for NFL teams. On Thursday night, two might go very high — and they come from the same school.T.J. Hockenson and Noah Fant of Iowa are projected to go early, and it’s not just because they are versatile, talented players. Or that the Hawkeyes have turned into a college mecca for the position: 10 of them in the pros since 2000, including Dallas Clark, who helped the Colts win a Super Bowl, and George Kittle, who set records for the position with the 49ers last year.With the emphasis on more passing and a shift toward more open offenses, the tight end spot has become a critical component of NFL attacks. Every team is eager to find the next Rob Gronkowski or Travis Kelce or Zach Ertz. And colleges are putting more emphasis on using the tight end as a weapon, not as a glorified tackle.“The tight end is the eraser for the quarterback,” Fant said Wednesday as 21 potential first-rounders spoke at Nissan Stadium, home of the Tennessee Titans and within a short walk across a bridge over the Cumberland River to where the draft will occur. “That’s where being a dynamic tight end comes into play.”Added Hockenson: “It’s become a valued position. A three-down tight end who can run past defenders when needed and block when needed is special.”So, apparently, are these two. Hockenson has been rated on some draft prognostications as one of the top 10 prospects in this crop. Fant hasn’t been far behind.Neither likely will go in the top half-dozen selections, which figure to be dominated by defensive players such as Nick Bosa of Ohio State, Quinnen Williams of Alabama, Josh Allen of Kentucky and Devin White of LSU. Both are expected to be gone in the top 20 or so.That would be a rare occurrence. Since the NFL went to 32 teams in 2002 when the Texans joined the league Kyle Juszczyk Jersey , a pair of tight ends has not gone in the first 20. Indeed, only three were drafted higher than 19th: Kellen Winslow Jr. (2004, sixth); Vernon Davis (2006, sixth); and Eric Ebron (2014, 10th).But pro teams have changed their tunes most recently. Two years ago, three tight ends were taken in the opening round: O.J. Howard by Tampa at 19, Evan Engram by the Giants at 23 and David Njoku at 29 by Cleveland.Now come Hockenson and Fant, who say they have no clue where they will land.“I just feel we’re ready,” Hockenson said. “This entire process has been flattering and it has been cool to learn how people see the game differently. But as for where, don’t know.”Fant also shrugged when asked where he might wind up, though when the subject of replacing Gronk in New England was broached, he said: “Playing at New England, you couldn’t ask for a better situation.”Fant, who came into the 2018 college season as the higher-rated prospect — and still might be with many teams — believes he benefited from playing with another standout tight end. He certainly showed a knack for the end zone with 19 career touchdowns.Hockenson was no slouch, of course, and had nine TDs. He also handled more of the blocking role for the Hawkeyes than did Fant, though many NFL personnel people believe both will be versatile and reliable at either chore.Both became tight ends in middle school and took to the position quickly. Hockenson grew up in Chariton, Iowa Tom Rathman Color Rush Jersey , while Fant is from Omaha, Nebraska. When they got to Iowa City, they were behind Kittle, then each of them excelled when Kittle headed to the 49ers.Kittle has told them to “block out all the noise” and just be themselves during the draft process — and when they arrive in the NFL. Both would do exceptionally well to emulate Kittle’s numbers with the Niners: 88 receptions, 1,377 yards and five TDs last season, playing mostly with backup passers.“What George did (at Iowa) was pretty special,” Fant said. “George has taken it to another level in the NFL. He made for big shoes to fill.”Perhaps. But remember, Kittle was a fifth-round selection in the 2017 draft. By that round this weekend, Hockenson and Fant likely will be ensconced in their new city, learning the playbook.NOTES: Oklahoma quarterback Kyler Murray, considered likely to go to Arizona as the top overall pick, didn’t attend the morning availability. He notified the NFL on Tuesday that he had a family commitment that would prevent him from being at Nissan Stadium … Sooners WR Marquis Brown said of Murray, the Heisman Trophy winner: “He can seem like a quiet guy to people that don’t know him. He’s not just open to everyone. But when you know him and you’re on a team with him, you’re going to know him. Like he’s funny guy and he’s undoubtedly a leader; he leads by example, works hard in the weight room, on the field. He does everything for you not to question anything about him.” The bargain bin. Everyone’s favorite aisle. Taking a look at 2 players the team should sign and two players they should stay away from."WhiteFanposts Fanshots Sections 49ers Salary CapLevi’s Stadium Events49ers Transactions49ers Injury News49ers Press Conferences & Conference CallsNFL Free AgencyNFL Free Agency49ers free agency 2019Who should the 49ers target in the second week of free agency?New,293commentsThe bargain bin. Everyone’s favorite aisle. Taking a look at 2 players the team should sign and two players they should stay away from.PDTShareTweetShareShareWho should the 49ers target in the second week of free agency?Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY SportsI’ve seen some 49er fans that are upset with the haul that the team has gotten so far in free agency. If I told you before free agency started you would still have all your draft picks this year https://www.49ersfanshop.com/Pierre-Garcon-Jersey , and end up with a pass rusher coming off of a historical season in regards to getting after the quarterback. Add a speedy linebacker that creates chaos. Create competition at running back, wide receiver, and defensive back, all while having still having over $41 million in cap space? Come on. You’re just getting greedy now. To be able to sign/re-sign 15 players and still have the fourth most cap space in the NFL is a luxury. It gives the team freedom to poke around and maybe entertain trade offers they normally couldn’t with that sort of space.It’s the second week of free agency, and most of the “big” names have signed. There is still plenty of talent available. Some of the best value in free agency hasn’t happened yet. With that said, here are two players the Niners should target and two players the team should steer clear of.OG Quinton SpainThis would not only be a depth signing, but it would also be some much needed insurance. The best way to describe the play of Laken Tomlinson and Mike Person’s play last year would be “fine”. Both players will be making under $3 million in 2019. The continuity surrounding the offensive line is the best argument for trotting both players out again in 2019. Can you likely find better players? Sure. Knowing the tendencies of the guy you’re playing next to matters.That brings us to Spain, who was actually benched during a game late in the season. Spain allowed one sack and 16 total pressures for the Titans last year. For reference, Person allowed only one sack as well, but did allow 34 total pressures. While Tomlinson allowed four sacks and 31 pressures. The 27-year old Spain would likely come in on a cheap deal. He’s a big strong guy that could push for starter snaps at best. At worst, you have a quality backup guard in the event of injury. A low-risk, high reward signing that likely only makes the guys in front of you step their game up. Competition tends to do that.FS Tre BostonBoston is a guy that is the true free safety that most 49er fans covet. There are some things that Boston does very well. He’s aggressive. He can cover. He has better ball skills than Jimmie Ward, but that’s not the most ringing endorsement. Speaking of Ward, Boston’s tackling ability would be enough pass.Boston had 15 “stops”, or tackles that constitute as a loss for the offense, last year. He missed 12 tackles. Boston is not a good tackler. There’s no other way to slice it. You want him now, but he will drive you insane if he’s on your roster. Count on him making a play that will benefit the offense because of his tackling once a game. It can be that bad. If the Niners are going to evolve, Boston is a player to avoid. He can play the deep safety and is serviceable Earl Mitchell Jersey , but he’s not a guy that will be better than whoever safety you take in the second round. Because Boston is limited, the 49ers would be wise to pass.SS Eric BerryStaying at the safety position, Berry just hasn’t been reliable. It looks like he is headed to Dallas, but he’s a name that has been popular among fans. You can count on one hand how many games Berry has played in the last couple years. The team has already taken their fair share of risks in free agency. To double-down on a player that hasn’t suited up much lately at safety just isn’t how you build a team. Judging by his play last year, Berry just doesn’t seem like he can move anymore. The team sitting idle, besides bringing back Ward, was the right play, considering the strength of the draft.Edge Justin HoustonI tried hard to get a different name here. But Houston is just so dang good. According to Ian Rapoport of NFL Network, it’s not even about money:The only thing that seems plausible for Houston being available his Houston himself saying there’s no rush. Houston could tag along with his former teammate Dee Ford, and mentor Nick Bosa. My selling point if I’m John Lynch to Houston is that he will only rush the passer, if that’s all he’s interested in. Because if you isolate him just rushing the passer last year, Houston was a monster in 2018. PFF tracks “pass rushing productivity”, which measures pressure created on a per snap basis with weighting toward sacks. Ford’s “PRP” was sixth, at8.9%. Houston was three spots behind him at 8.6%. The signing, the fit, the culture that you’re trying to create. Houston just makes so much sense.