The San Francisco 49ers continue their pre-draft homework. One area they hope to solidify in the draft is the offensive line. After all, the team needs to protect its $137.5 million investment at quarterback.
The 49ers recently sent offensive line coach John Benton to Nevada to work out guard Austin Corbett, according to a report from the Sacramento Bee.
"Corbett was athletic enough to excel at left tackle in college but probably will move to guard [...] in the NFL," writes Matt Barrows. "He appears to be a legitimate candidate for the 49ers in the second round."
Corbett was a walk-on at the University of Nevada and took over for Joel Bitonio, who is currently with the Cleveland Browns. He started 48 consecutive games over his collegiate career playing left (36 games) and right tackle (12 games) for the Wolf Pack. As Barrows points out, Corbett is projected to move inside at the next level.
As a senior, Corbett was named first-team All-Mountain West. His mobility, which is important within 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan's offense, has been described as "above average."
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At the NFL Scouting Combine, the 6-foot-4 and 305-pound Corbett had a 40-time of 5.15 seconds, a vertical jump of 28 inches, a broad jump of 106 inches, completed the three-cone drill in 7.87 seconds, had 19 reps in the bench press, and a 20-yard shuttle time of 4.5 seconds.
NFL.com projects Corbett to be a second-round draft pick.
Lance Zierlein of NFL.com, who compares Corbett to John Greco, wrote the following within his scouting report:
"Corbett won't blow you away with any of his measurables or play traits, but he's solid in most areas. Corbett is definitely sharp enough to move inside to guard or even center and has good technique, but his average to below average play strength and lack of length may be a concern. He has the size and talent to compete for a guard/center spot early on, but he may elevate above an average starter during his career."
Tony Pauline of Draft Analyst wrote the following within his scouting report:
"Corbett is not a flashy blocker but is an efficient, methodical lineman who consistently gets the job done. He projects to either guard or center at the next level and is one of the more underrated interior linemen in this year's draft, and he will quickly start in the right system."
Measurables
Height: 6-4
Weight: 305 lbs.
NFL Scouting Combine
40-time: 5.15 seconds
Vertical: 28 inches
Broad jump: 106 inches
3-cone drill: 7.87 seconds
Bench press: 19 reps
20-yard shuttle: 4.5 seconds
