With the third pick in the fifth round (142nd overall) of the 2016 NFL Draft, the San Francisco 49ers selected Appalachian State DE Ronald Blair. He is the second defensive end selected by the 49ers in this draft. The team used their first selection to pick up Oregon DE DeForest Buckner with the seventh overall selection.
In two years with Appalachian State, Blair compiled 114 tackles with 32 for a loss, 12.5 sacks, an interception, and a touchdown. He has played in 25 games.
NFL.com projected that Blair would be selected in rounds 6 or 7 of the NFL Draft.
Ronald Blair led all 3-4 DE with a run stop percentage in 2015 of 13.8% and ranked third with a 10.2 Pass Rush Productivity Rating. #49ers
Highly decorated four-year starter who capped off a successful career by being named Sun Belt Defensive Player of the Year in 2015. He doesn't have the ability as a pass rusher to excite NFL teams, but his strength at the point of attack and quality tape against Clemson this past season should not be discounted. Blair is an undersized, rotational base end in a 4-3 who might be able to add extra weight and get a look inside as a three-technique thanks to his toughness and strength.
DraftInsider.net had the following to say about Blair in their scouting report:
Blair was competitive, hard-working, got the most out of his ability and in many instances overachieved. He'll do well at the next level coming off the bench as either defensive end or potentially under tackle in pass rushing situations.
Pro Football Focus had the following to say about Blair in their scouting report:
Blair was a productive pass rusher over the last two seasons and a much-improved run defender in 2015. However, the competition level is a question. He played well against Clemson last season but didn't face many NFL-caliber players otherwise. How will that translate to the NFL? Blair played mostly 3-4 DE in college but at his size is more likely an NFL edge player.
Measurables
Height: 6-2
Weight: 284 lbs.
Arm length: 34 inches
Hand length: 10 1/4 inches
49ers' Ronald Blair had a setback, PUP players expected to miss more time, says Kyle Shanahan
By David Bonilla
Oct 16, 2020
Don't expect the San Francisco 49ers to get defensive linemen Ronald Blair and Jullian Taylor, or center Weston Richburg, anytime soon. Kyle Shanahan revealed on Friday that Blair suffered a setback with his recovery from the ACL injury he sustained last season. That will push back his return.
"Ronald Blair did have a setback," Shanahan said. "Had to redo some things to his knee, some stuff that they messed up in it. He is doing a lot better from that but that's why he's going to be a couple of weeks longer than expected."
All three, in fact, aren't expected to return until sometime between Weeks 10 and 12 now. While they will each be eligible to return from physically-unable-to-perform (PUP) sooner, Shanahan says they won't be healthy enough to do so until
49ers trade late-round draft pick to Jets for Jordan Willis
By David Bonilla
Oct 21, 2020
The San Francisco 49ers have traded for 25-year-old New York Jets outside linebacker Jordan Willis, according to Tom Pelissero of NFL Network.
Trade! The #Jets are sending OLB Jordan Willis to the #49ers, per source.— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) October 21,
49ers players select Arik Armstead as the 2020 Perry/Yonamine Unity Award recipient
By David Bonilla
Oct 16, 2020
The San Francisco 49ers will host the Los Angeles Rams at Levi's Stadium on Sunday night, which will also serve as the team's Alumni Game. Of course, that means something very different this year amidst the COVID-19 pandemic.
Usually, 49ers alumni would be in attendance. This year, 95 alumni will "attend" as fan cutouts, arranged in the shape of "SF" in section 109.
49ers players selected defensive lineman Arik Armstead as this year's Perry/Yonamine Unity Award for his off-field community efforts and work with the Armstead Academic Project. A $10,000 donation will be made to his charity of choice, the Players Philanthropy
