The 49ers’ list of pre-draft visits was cut down by one. They’re foregoing additional time with Michigan defensive lineman Rashan Gary according to Matt Barrows of the Athletic.
It’s not a huge surprise the 49ers are skipping an extra meeting with the former Wolverine. He appears to fit a mold similar to Solomon Thomas where he played on the edge in college, but figures to be most effective as an interior defensive lineman in the NFL. Gary posted 9.5 sacks and 23 tackles for loss in 34 college contests.
Despite his positional ambiguousness, Gary figures to go in the top third of the first round in this year’s draft. He’s a 6-4, 277-pound monster who measured near the top of every drill at the combine. His athleticism was apparent on tape, and it shined brightly at the combine.
An inability to effectively rush the passer off the edge will likely keep Gary from being a top-five pick. That’s also a likely reason why the 49ers feel they know all they need to know about him. They need help on the edge, or a dominant interior presence. Gary hasn’t prominently put either skill on tape, and the 49ers will have other options that better fit for them in the top two.
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