Football isn't always sexy. As much as the fans love to watch 400 yard passing games and huge breakaway runs, none of that happens without the 5 men hand-fighting at the line of scrimmage. In 2018 the 49ers spent the 9th overall pick on RT Mike McGlinchey to be a cornerstone of the offensive line. Coming out of Notre Dame McGlinchey was known for his run blocking talent, which is exactly why the 49ers coveted him so much.
In 2019 the 49ers running backs ranked 1st in the NFL in total yards gained. In the playoffs the 49ers literally ran over their opponents on the way to Super Bowl 54. This run game was the manifestation of the Shanahan offensive vision, one that Mike McGlinchey played a critical role in.
As Shanahan dialed up runs coming from every angle and direction, the offensive line carried out complex blocking schemes that paved the way for big gains. The success in the run game enabled the 49ers to control the game by controlling the clock and wearing out opposing defenses. McGlinchey is a lynchpin to the run game and a building block to the 49ers future.
2019 Performance
As stated in previous entries regarding offensive linemen, they never stand out in a box score. Hence the need to lean on Pro Football Focus to better understand the performance of McGlinchey. In 2019, PFF graded McGlinchey out at 67.5. In comparison, former 49ers RT and current Raiders RT Trent Brown, the 2nd highest paid RT in football, graded out at 69.1. One thing can't be left out, during the post-season McGlinchey's performance spiked up to a PFF grade pf 76.1, showing he was capable of stepping his game up when it mattered most.
2020 Cost
McGlinchey is quite the bargain in 2020 as he is still working under his rookie deal. He comes with a cap hit of only $5 million.
Future Outlook
Expect McGlinchey to be implanted on the right side of the 49ers line for years to come.The 49ers have the 5th-year option that would keep McGlinchey on the books through 2022. While he hasn't become a dominant RT, he is only 26 and has shown enough to be firmly embedded in this franchise for the foreseeable future. Unless his level of play drops dramatically, the 49ers have a keeper in Mike McGlinchey.
- Gilbert Brink
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Written by:49ers outsider, residing in the Hudson Valley, representing 30+ years of the 49ers experience
