49ers should target offensive line first in the 2018 NFL Draft
The San Francisco 49ers' trade for quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo has taken a huge need off the board heading into 2018. While plenty of other needs remain in the NFL Draft, the Niners should be inclined to focus on the offensive line first before worrying about other positions.
It's not the sexy way to go, per se, but the San Francisco 49ers should use their first pick in the 2018 NFL Draft to select the best offensive lineman available.
The Niners are likely to secure one of the top three picks in April's draft. After landing quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo via a trade with the New England Patriots, trading down from whatever high-level spot San Francisco ends up in is a real possibility. And wherever the 49ers wind up, their No. 1 priority should be their offensive line.
Sure, the lofty pick would be someone like Penn State running back Saquon Barkley if he was available at the Niners' first selection. But going with an albeit-talented tailback in Round 1 doesn't jive with head coach Kyle Shanahan and running backs coach Bobby Turner's way of doing things. Even with incumbent running back Carlos Hyde hitting free agency in 2017, Shanahan and Turner are much more likely to wait until later rounds to find a running back like they tried to do with Joe Williams this year (Round 4).
Unlike last year, the
2018 O-line draft class is a bit heavier stocked towards the top. Even a trade down towards the bottom of the top 10 could result in additional draft capital
and the landing of a high-profile O-line talent.
Let's explore why this should be the route taken.
According to
Football Outsiders, the Niners' current O-line ranks 16th in run blocking and 22nd in pass protection. Granted, this is up from the 32nd and 30th rankings, respectively, from a year ago. But it's still pretty bad. The problem areas, of course, have been along the interior positions, especially left guard Laken Tomlinson and center Daniel Kilgore, as shown in the
Pro Football Focus season grades below:
The graphic doesn't show left tackle Joe Staley (77.5 overall) or right tackle Trent Brown (76.8 overall), but that doesn't mean tackles should be ruled out of the draft equation. Remember, Staley will turn 34 years old next season. It's time to start thinking, at least, about a possible long-term replacement. Perhaps Brown switches over from the right side, but that leaves a void at his spot.
Back to the interior play, though. Free agency is a way the Niners could look for some help. One potential target is free-agent-to-be Carolina Panthers guard Andrew Norwell, who is having a solid season in offensive coordinator Mike Shula's system and a possible target I
broke down over at Niner Noise earlier.
But if Norwell is re-signed or signs elsewhere, this remains a critical need for San Francisco. There are two Notre Dame O-linemen worth considering in Round 1. The most notable, of course, is offensive tackle Mike McGlinchey -- a player worth considering in the top 10 and someone who could anchor a line for years. Offensive guard Quenton Nelson is another player seeing his draft stock rise this season, although he might be more worthy of a target later in Round 1, if the Niners can maneuver further down in the order and maximize the draft value.
Regardless, going after upgrades along the O-line is as smart a move the Niners could make this April.
Just ask former 49ers and Redskins general manager Scot McCloughan (h/t
Fourth & Nine's Dylan DeSimone):
If the 49ers go this route, it certainly won't generate the same kind of buzz the Niners made with last year's two first-round selections, Solomon Thomas and Reuben Foster. But remember, the Niners could start imposing their will up front with some solid selections to beef up the O-line. Doing so would set the tone for a still-rebuilding offense
and ensure much better protection for the team's newest big investment, Garoppolo.
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Written by:
Peter Panacy has been writing about the 49ers since 2011 for outlets like Bleacher Report, Niner Noise, 49ers Webzone, and is occasionally heard as a guest on San Francisco's 95.7 FM The Game and the Niners' flagship station, KNBR 680. Feel free to follow him, or direct any inquiries to his Twitter account.
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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Nov 3, 2017 at 5:52 PM
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Bagboi
Yea just like davis and Ilpauti were so great. Foh
Nov 3, 2017 at 1:25 PM
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Ausome
I guess we have already forgot what a imposing offensive line looks like "Dallas Game". You dont get great line play in free agency, you get it in the draft. The absolute dominant whipping we received from Dallas was behind 3 or 4 1st round picks.
Nov 3, 2017 at 1:08 PM
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Monsterniner
Free agency is where you fill holes. We can find a couple o good O-linemen in FA because there will be 6 o 7 that will worth a look and with over 100M in cap space we´ll be able to sign at least 2. In the draft we need to look for playmakers because Jimmy G will need weapons.
Nov 2, 2017 at 7:23 PM
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Frank Misaege
While I agree OL is a top team priority, I think they can sign a starting C and OG out of the FA pool. The guys I'd choose are C Brian Schwenke (Titans) and OG Trai Turner (Carolina). Their avg age is 25. I still want Lynch to draft Barkley...because he's a difference maker and can beat you in many ways. I'd take him even if they re-sign Hyde...because a Hyde-Barkley-Williams-Breida backfield should wreak some real havoc and give Shanahan a topflight backfield. By all means, draft an OT and an OG/C, but not either with the first pick.
Nov 2, 2017 at 3:33 PM
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Cao Black
Not a fan of them spending precious early draft picks on O-linemen when you have so many needs. LT would be an exemption, so lets hope Staley is good for another season. They could get O-line help through free agency...there are some good prospects, and they have the money. They need CB help and pass rush help badly on defense, and WR help on offense. Going to test Lynch/Shanahan deal-making abilities.
Nov 2, 2017 at 2:18 PM
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max
Trade down, pick several good players at:
OL x 2
WR
Pass Rusher
CB
Nov 2, 2017 at 2:00 PM
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