February 24 Razor
Most expect the 49ers to sign, Trent Williams but in the event they're not able to do so, we'll take a look at the top OT's in the upcoming 2021 NFL draft.
Rashawn Slater, Northwestern, 6'-3" 305 lbs. 2019 Consensus Honorable Mention All-Big 10, Northwestern Offensive Player Of The Week winner twice, finished the year with zero sacks given up, one qb hit, five hurries in 787 snaps
Missed one game in 2019 with undisclosed injury
Traits include, athletic ability, lateral mobility, versatility, durability, hand strength
Current grade 8
Potential grade 9
Does not possess the length you'd like from your OT but he's the best on the move blocker in a strong class. Struggles against top end power rushers, and has a tendency to play high, reducing strength, leverage with tight hips. Seems to recover quickly more often than not when initially beaten. Stays aware and takes good angles to seal off lb's. Tough, smart player that seems very coachable too. All-Pro guard potential with a chance to be a solid LT.
Penei Sewell, Oregon, 6'-6" 325 lbs. First true sophomore to win Outland Trophy, unanimous First Team All-American, did not allow a sack in 13 games played and in 9 of those did not allow a pressure or hurry in 2019, sat out 2020
Missed significant time starting October 2018 with high ankle sprain
Traits include, length, fluid shuffle, recovery speed, nasty disposition, explosive
Current grade 8
Potential grade 9.5
Franchise LT potential. Run blocks and pass blocks at a high level making him that rare unicorn. Hand placement and some little technique issues are very coachable. Aggressive player that explodes out of his stance in the run game.
Alijah Vera-Tucker, USC, 6'-4" 315 lbs. Playing LG he was USC's 2019 Offensive Lineman Of The Year, Associated Press First Team All-Pac 12, 6 games at LT in 2020 earned him The Morris Trophy
Had a hammy injury but it didn't cost him a game to my knowledge
Traits include, versatility, power, smarts, balance
Current grade 8
Potential grade 9
Excelled at two different positions, LG/LT in back to back years. Has good movement skills and shows the ability to block at the 2nd level in the run game. Can be beaten inside in pass pro due to over compensation against speed. Has a chance to be a solid LT but has All Pro potential at OG.
Jaylen Mayfield, MI, 6'-5" 319 lbs.
Missed 3 games to a high ankle sprain
Traits include, run blocking punisher and finisher, moves well, powerful hand jolt
Current grade 7.5
Potential grade 8.5
Only played 15 games. A little flat footed. Looks like a RT only. Should hit the ground running while developing in pass pro at the next level.
Christian Darrisaw, Virginia Tech, 6'-5" 314 lbs. 3 year starter First Team All-ACC and All American Second team, 6 QB hurries and zero sacks senior season
Missed a game early in college career due to injury
Traits include, length, balance, power, mobility
Current grade 8
Potential grade 9
Needs to work on keeping his feet moving and hand placement. Awareness can be hit or miss. I like his lower body flexibility. Good hip and leg drive. Looks like a starting RT that eventually could move to LT as he refines his game.
Teven Jenkins, OK St., 6'-6" 310 lbs. All Big-12 First Team, 3 year starter, opted out early this year due to injuries
Missed game(s) to an unspecified back injury
Traits include, power brauler, hands, aggressiveness
Current grade 7.5
Potential grade 8.5
Good movement to the 2nd level with solid athleticism. Technically refined enough to start at RT. Not a player who's going to be overpowered, but gets a little choppy with his feet around the edge in pass pro.
Slater's my guy. I'd take him at 12 and be very happy if he was there.
ReplyDeleteWith you there (if they indeed don't go QB).
DeleteThere may be a number of quality O linemen (including tackles) who are released when teams need to get under the cap. We may get a couple of bargains in free agency. I would rather sign a couple of cheap solid FA's and save our draft picks for pass rushers, CB's and a QB.
ReplyDelete+1
DeleteTo me it is somewhat immaterial whether they use FA or draft to fill OL, DE, CB, etc. Which positions they don't fill in FA will need to be filled in the draft.
DeleteBut imo, in terms of quality/ strength of position for the draft, OL > DE > CB. While for FA I would say, at least currently, DE is quite deep with quality guys and OT is not.
Jack Hammer article today on the Garoppolo situation.
ReplyDeletehttps://www.si.com/nfl/49ers/news/49ers-brass-appear-set-to-roll-the-dice-on-jimmy-garoppolo-in-2021
Some interesting quotes:
“When he’s healthy, he’s played at a high level,” Lynch said. “But we probably have to add someone. We probably need to improve ourselves, so if he’s not there, we’re all right; we can win games.”
Taking Lynch at face value, having a quarterback room that features Garoppolo, a rookie that can come off the bench if needed, and Josh Rosen isn’t all that bad. Consider this, in the last two weeks of 2020 with a number of players out, a much-maligned offensive line and C.J. Beathard starting at quarterback, the 49ers were able to defeat the Arizona Cardinals before nearly upsetting Seattle in the season finale.
Keeping Garoppolo would almost certainly signify that Trent Williams, Kyle Juszczyk, Jason Verrett, and many of the other top free agents from the 2020 roster will not be back with the 49ers. In short, San Francisco would need to feel confident in re-signing their own lower cost-free agents and a few from other teams along with their 2021 draft class to fill out their roster.
The 49ers could choose to rework Garoppolo’s deal to open up additional cap space by converting a portion of his salary to a bonus, but this may not be the best choice if they aren’t ready to commit to the quarterback beyond 2021. The reason being, by creating cap space in this manner the 49ers would be creating a larger dead cap hit if they decide to move on prior to 2022.
George,
DeleteI wholeheartedly agree with Jack.
Lynch' thought process about picking up a QB in the draft is essential for the future.
I'm not comfortable yet, with the idea of Rosen based on his inability to impress the teams he's been on.
Mel Kiper just projected that the 49ers will maneuver to get to #7 and draft Fields.
But another option that hasn't garnered any interest here, but I'd be fine with getting Sam Darnold.
He checks some important boxes for me:
1. Young, big and strong.
2. Above average arm strength.
3. Not spectacular, but good athleticism (better than what we have now).
4. No major injuries.
5. Can throw deep with good accuracy.
I believe that Darnold could have a resurgence under Shanahan.
George,
ReplyDeleteWe will get under the 180 mill cap for 21. If fans are back this season along with a new TV contract, the cap for 22 could be some where close to 230. So I don't think the 9ers or any other team is going to be too worried about the cap for at least one year.
OC, very hard to know what the cap will be in 2022. Part of having the cap floor this year was on the basis of spreading the cap hit over a few years. But early projections seem to suggest around $230M might be the mark.
DeleteAs to whether the 49ers should be worried about the cap next year... they already have 2022 cap obligations of around $145M with just 19 players signed. Pushing more cap hit from this year into next will only squeeze 2022 higher. At some point they will need to decide whether pushing money to future years to make their 2021 roster as strong as possible is really worth it long term.
Personally I would be trying to use 2021 as something of a roster reset. Yes, you still want to put out a competitive team, but don't mortgage the future to do so.
In the unlikely event the Niners can't re-sign Williams they may sign a vet FA at LT and Mack at center, and draft a tackle in mid round. Slater's likely going to be an interior lineman and I don't see Kyle investing the 12th pick in him, especially with the need for pass rush opposite Bosa.
ReplyDeleteWhich pass rusher is worth taking at 12?
DeleteTo me this doesn't make much sense. You have a lot of good edge options available in FA this year. Aren't they better off using the money you suggest for a vet OT (where there aren't many good options right now) on a vet edge, and take an OT round 1 from a really strong OT class rather than overdrafting an edge?
I don't think they will draft the DE at 12 -- they would likely trade down several spots. But you could absolutely be right about lack of LT in FA, and getting an edge in FA. Of course, they could move down some spots and still draft a tackle based on their draft board. This appears to be a good year for tackles. FA will clarify the still-hazy draft scene.
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