No news is good news: 49ers first-round pick Mike McGlinchey is playing at an elite level

Bobby Horne
Oct 17, 2018 at 8:17 AM


placeholder image

Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports

Videos are auto-populated by an affiliate. This site has no control over the videos that appear above.

The San Francisco 49ers came into the 2018 NFL Draft as an up and coming team that had a shot at a playoff run. And picking in the top 10 all but guaranteed them a high profile player.

Would they go pass rush and try to take a shot at now Denver Bronco Bradley Chubb? Would they take the emerging star in Los Angeles Chargers defensive back Derwin James? The possibilities were almost endless and the fans were excited to get 2018 underway.

Well, the 49ers surprised a lot of people and took Notre Dame tackle Mike McGlinchey. I'll even say myself that at first reaction, I was a little disappointed. I thought there were some "flashier" players they could have taken. But as the days went on and I evaluated the roster, the pick made a lot of sense.

Perennial Pro Bowl tackle and 12-year veteran, Joe Staley, is nearing the end of his career and left tackle Trent Brown was coming off the injured reserve list after having surgery on his shoulder. Not to mention that Brown wasn't a fit for head coach Kyle Shanahan's system, which was confirmed a day later when the 49ers traded Brown to the New England Patriots.
It was safe to say that at that point, the tackle position was a big need.

We are now six games into 2018 and it appears that the 49ers have hit a grand slam on McGlinchey. McGlinchey's name isn't one that's been mentioned a lot on game day and for good reason. He is doing his job and he's doing it very well.

When it comes to offensive lineman, no news is good news. When linemen's names start to come up it's generally because of what they have been doing wrong. They give up sacks, miss key blocks in the run game, excess penalties, etc. Rarely are they talked about when they are doing what they are supposed to.

McGlinchey has already established himself as a top tackle in the NFL. Pro Football Focus has graded McGlinchey as the 10th best tackle in overall grades and as the best run blocking tackle in football as of Week 5.

McGlinchey is also the top graded rookie lineman in 2018 through Week 5.

It's plays like the one below that show McGlinchey's raw strength and his ability to take on pass rushers. Chargers DE Melvin Ingram is a solid player and this doesn't happen very often, let alone by a rookie. McGlinchey makes statements like this weekly.

In a season that started out with high hopes and has nearly hit rock bottom before the halfway point, McGlinchey has been outstanding. He is proving he can be a key piece for the 49ers for years to come.

It may have not been the "flashy" pick that the fans wanted but, it's currently proving it may have been the best option. McGlinchey has All-Pro potential and will eventually take over Staley's spot to protect franchise quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo.

In year two of a full roster rebuild, selecting a tackle that could lock down one side of the line for the next decade at an elite level was the right move.

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.
Enjoy this article? Follow us to never miss more!

Powered by Follow.it


Comments

More San Francisco 49ers News

placeholder image

ESPN's coaching predictions forecast good news for Shanahan, 49ers

By David Bonilla
Jan 14

Former New York Jets head coach Robert Saleh is actively pursuing new opportunities, interviewing for two head coaching vacancies this week. On Tuesday, he completed his interview with the Jacksonville Jaguars and is scheduled to meet with the Las Vegas Raiders on...


placeholder image

PFF head coach carousel 'best fits' offers potential good news for 49ers

By David Bonilla
Jan 17

Pro Football Focus contributor Dalton Wasserman recently analyzed the current head coaching vacancies around the NFL, identifying the best candidates for each job. While former New York Jets head coach Robert Saleh is reportedly interviewing for roles with teams like the...


placeholder image

What the Colts playing in Berlin means for the 49ers

By David Bonilla
Jan 15

The NFL announced that the Indianapolis Colts will be the home team for the league's first-ever regular-season game in Berlin. This historic matchup, part of the 2025 International Games, will take place at the iconic Olympic Stadium as part of the NFL's multiyear commitment to...


placeholder image

Draft analyst believes Oregon tackle would be a good fit for 49ers

By David Bonilla
Jan 16

ESPN draft analyst Matt Miller, a longtime San Francisco 49ers fan, has identified a player he believes would be a perfect fit for the team's offensive line. Miller has long advocated for the 49ers to draft offensive linemen early. However, the earliest the team has done so...


Latest

Trending News

Search Share 49ersWebzone