Center Nick Easton traded to 49ers (traded to MIN)

Phoenix49ers · 2015-09-05T09:14:51-07:00

Not yet official but it seems likely. A rookie center from Harvard, he was one of the highest rated rookies in the preseason. Adam Caplan- #Ravens are in process of trading UDFA C Nick Easton to #49ers, source said Jeff Deeney &rlm;@PFF_Jeff 50s50 seconds ago New #49ers center Nick Easton led all centers in the preseason with a +9.1 overall grade including +7.7 run blocking. Nick Easton, C, Ravens (6.7) One of the things you learn watching preseason is just how bad backup offensive line play is league-wide. When you get down to the second and third teams, the O-line is regularly getting destroyed by the D-line, so when somebody stands out from that crowd it can be significant. Easton has been the highest-graded rookie center so far in preseason, by some distance. He may not have been facing first-team defenders, but he has graded positively against the run every game, and has allowed just one hurry over 123 snaps.

Sep 5, 2015 at 9:16 AM

jreff22
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Posts: 67,457

Analysis

Strengths Plays with good body control and balance. Maintains desired posture through pass rep with wide base and sustained, mirrored movement. Takes good angles in space. Looks for work in pass pro and will bury a helmet into ribs of defensive tackles. Plays with poise and confidence. Responds well to blitz.

Weaknesses Squatty frame. Lacks length and will get stuck reaching for air when longer nose tackles get into him. Despite 29 bench-press reps at pro day, won't generate movement when asked to drive block.

Draft Projection Undrafted

Bottom Line Had solid pro-day measurements and tested as an athletic center. Easton plays with intelligence and composure and is technically sound, but is a center only and might be relegated to looks from zone-scheme teams.

Sep 5, 2015 at 9:17 AM

captveg
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Good backup. Must have caught Baalke's eyes, and became for his eyes only.

Sep 5, 2015 at 9:19 AM

Phoenix49ers
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Originally posted by jreff22:
Analysis
Plays with poise and confidence. Responds well to blitz.

Those are both things that this team has lacked along the OL. If nothing else he might be a decent depth addition.

Sep 5, 2015 at 9:20 AM

theninermaniac
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Can't be any worse than Looney....

Sep 5, 2015 at 9:21 AM

monsterzero789
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he cant be any worse than what we already have

Sep 5, 2015 at 9:24 AM

kazak13
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what did we give up? 7th rounder? hunter?

Sep 5, 2015 at 9:24 AM

Tru2RedNGold25
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The Good thing he isIntelligent within a week or so he should pick up the playbook with ease then he can knock off MM at Center till Kilgore comes back.

Sep 5, 2015 at 9:27 AM

LasVegasWally
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What kind of system did the Ravens use - ZBS??

Sep 5, 2015 at 9:28 AM

cools
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I'll guess they keep 9 OL with Thomas, Tiller, Brown and Easton as back ups, someone gets cut when KIlgore comes back

Looks like D.Farrell could be on his way out, They protected him all of last year on the 53
thinking he had some upside down the road

Sep 5, 2015 at 9:28 AM

#10

Phoenix49ers
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Originally posted by LasVegasWally:
What kind of system did the Ravens use - ZBS??

Yes.

Sep 5, 2015 at 9:30 AM

#11

jreff22
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Sep 5, 2015 at 9:33 AM

#12

NorthWest9Er
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Originally posted by captveg:
Good backup. Must have caught Baalke's eyes, and became for his eyes only.

Who is that? baalke in the 80's?

Sep 5, 2015 at 9:33 AM

#13

NIMV4683
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I like this trade.

Sep 5, 2015 at 9:36 AM

#14

captveg
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Posts: 29,789

Originally posted by NorthWest9Er:

Originally posted by captveg:
Good backup. Must have caught Baalke's eyes, and became for his eyes only.

Who is that? baalke in the 80's?

Sheena Easton, singer, including the theme for the James Bond film For Your Eyes Only.