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Breaking down Fordham OL Nick Zakelj to the 49ers
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With their first of three sixth-round selections, the 49ers opted to draft another offensive lineman, taking Fordham's
Nick Zakelj with the 187th pick in the 2022 NFL Draft.
With their first selection on Day 3 of the draft, the
49ers took versatile offensive lineman Spencer Burford out of UTSA and with the Zakelj pick, the team adds more size at the position, opting for a bigger tackle with Zakelj's 6'6, 316-pound frame.
Zakelj has one of the most athletic frames of any offensive lineman in the class, posting a 9.74 relative athletic score, while ranking in the 96th percentile in his 10-yard split.
Additionally, Zakelj has good length and his profile indicates that he'll be an excellent scheme fit, as he's able to move well in an outside-zone scheme, making him a 49ers-esque pick.
The potential of Zakelj is certainly there as he possesses a unique combination of size and speed at the offensive line position, as well as the versatility that the 49ers covet at the offensive line position.
Zakelj has guard/tackle flexibility, providing even more depth on the interior, while also potentially serving as a long-term solution at the right tackle position if he develops some more strength.
The draft selection of Zakelj furthers the notion that Daniel Brunskill could be playing center, as it added another versatile piece on the offensive line, which makes it sensible for Brunskill to transition, providing San Francisco with a veteran option at the position they value highly.
The Zakelj pick continues the focus on offense and Trey Lance, as the 49ers have now selected four offensive pieces in
LSU running back Tyrion Davis-Price,
SMU wide receiver Danny Gray, Burford, and Zakelj, as opposed to two defensive players in
USC edge rusher Drake Jackson and
Toledo defensive back Samuel Womack.
The opinions within this article are those of the writer and, while just as important, are not necessarily those of the site as a whole.
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