One of the prospects makes a ton of sense. The other two? Not so much
Does offensive tackle feel too obvious in the first round of the upcoming NFL Draft for the San Francisco 49ers?
The team added another veteran cornerback on Thursday by signing veteran Rock Ya-Sin. Leonard Floyd is effectively on a one-year contract, but this is a team that’s in win-now mode. You could make the same arguments at wide receiver. Do you really want your first-rounder splitting snaps or fighting for time in Year 1?
That leaves the offensive line, a unit that struggled mightily in the playoffs and could use an injection of talent at multiple positions. Tackle is viewed as a premium position, while interior offensive linemen are generally selected after the first day of the draft.
ESPN’s Nick Wagoner said, “In a perfect world, the Niners could land an offensive tackle capable of pushing for the starting job immediately on the right side and who could eventually replace Trent Williams on the left.”
This draft class, touted as one of the deeper classes for tackles in the past decade, holds immense potential for the 49ers. While there are several presumed starters, there’s no guarantee they all last until pick No. 31. ESPN’s draft analyst Jordan Reid believes the 49ers are in the business of moving up so they don’t miss out on their player:
What we’re hearing about the 49ers’ draft: Colton McKivitz signed a one-year extension this offseason, but that likely won’t keep the 49ers from searching for a long-term upgrade at tackle in this deep class. Unsurprisingly, right tackle and cornerback are the two positions brought up most by scouts when talking about where the Niners could improve after their run to the Super Bowl. And with 10 picks and few roster spots available, San Francisco might surprise and attempt a move up for an offensive tackle. Amarius Mims and Jordan Morgan fit in Kyle Shanahan’s scheme on Day 1, but Roger Rosengarten (Washington) would also make sense on Day 2. — Reid
Mims is a stud. I have him as OT4. Some are a bit hesitant, given his lack of starting experience, but when you’re as good as he was so soon, it’s easy to come away thinking we’ve only seen the worst of him. The more Mims plays, the better he’ll be. He was born with the ability to do things on the football field that few can. Mims is worth trading up for.
I have the opposite feeling regarding Morgan and Rosengarten. Morgan is on my buyer-beware list. I’d rather roll with McKivitz for a season than invest a first-round pick in Morgan.
Rosengarten is being pushed up hypothetical draft boards because of the position he plays, but his lack of strength may scare the 49ers off. Yes, he has ties to the McCaffrey family. Yes, he’s training with Joe Staley. Rosengarten is young, but there’s little tape of him suggesting that he’s ready to play right away in the NFL — barring a significant jump.
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