LISTEN: Why all positions (Except QB) Should Be In Play In The Draft →
Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports

Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports


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


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.


0 Comments

  • No Comments

Facebook Comments



More San Francisco 49ers News



Offense or defense? NFL.com's mock drafts predict 49ers' first-round pick

By David Bonilla
20 hrs

Three NFL Media analysts have recently released their mock drafts, projecting the potential moves of each team in the first round of the 2024 NFL Draft. The San Francisco 49ers hold the No. 31 overall pick, marking their first Round 1 selection since 2021. The latest mock draft comes from Charles Davis, who has San Francisco addressing the offensive line, strengthening a unit that showed inconsistency last season. Davis predicts the 49ers will choose former Oklahoma tackle Tyler Guyton with their first selection. "The 49ers' offense will flourish as long as HC Kyle Shanahan is diagramming plays, and this agile former tight end has a chance to plug in



Latest PFF mock draft has 49ers making surprise pick in Round 1

By David Bonilla
Mar 25

The San Francisco 49ers focused on defense in free agency but still have several needs heading into the 2024 NFL Draft. The team did not address the offensive line, and it's a safe bet they will do so with some rookie selections next month. The Niners could also continue bolstering things on the defensive side of the football. Adding to the defensive back, defensive line, or linebacker groups remains possibilities. Pro Football Focus analyst Brad Spielberger released his latest mock draft and doesn't have the 49ers drafting at any of those positions. Instead, he has the team adding a bit of an insurance policy on offense, drafting former Georgia wide receiver



49ers Mock Draft 5.0: DB help added in first round

By Wayne P. Brown
Mar 23

The Pro Football Focus (PFF) Mock Draft Simulator was used to create this mock draft. In mock draft 5.0, I continued using the "best player available" model for the San Francisco 49ers. This week, the 49ers' position of need and value met in the first round. Round 1, Pick 31 CB, Kool-Aid McKinstry, Alabama The 49ers have three defensive backs in the last years of their contracts. Charvarius Ward is a veteran in the last year of his deal with the team, and Deommodore Lenoir and Ambry Thomas are playing in the last year of their rookie contracts. Kool-Aid McKinstry is one of the best outside corners in the 2024 NFL Draft. McKinstry has excellent lateral agility, is strong in press-man coverage, and tackles well



49ers see impending mega-deal for Brock Purdy as a 'good problem'

By David Bonilla
Mar 27

The San Francisco 49ers are actively working to sign wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk to a contract extension, aiming to maintain their talented young core of players. The team has reached agreements with star players during each of the last four offseasons, securing George Kittle in 2020, Fred Warner in 2021, Deebo Samuel in 2022, and Nick Bosa in 2023. Another key contributor poised for a new deal next offseason is quarterback Brock Purdy. Over the last couple of years, the 49ers have been in the unique position of not having to pay much money (relatively) to stock their quarterback room while reaping the benefits of superb play from their starting signal-caller. However,


Latest

More by Bobby Horne

More Articles

Share 49ersWebzone