Unless they’re looking for a left tackle to eventually replace Trent Williams at left tackle, I find it highly unlikely that the 49ers will take a tackle in Round 1.
Most draft analysts expect the 49ers to take an offensive tackle in Round 1 of the upcoming NFL Draft.
But unless they’re looking for a left tackle to eventually replace Trent Williams at left tackle, I find it highly unlikely that the 49ers will take a tackle in Round 1. Because the only tackle they’ve ever taken that high since Kyle Shanahan and John Lynch have been with the team is Mike McGlinchey. And when they took him, they hoped he eventually could replace Joe Staley at left tackle. The 49ers soon found out McGlinchey was a mere right tackle, a position they don’t value highly, and so now he’s gone and Trent Williams is here.
The 49ers certainly are in the market for a right tackle, someone who’s better right now than Colton McKivitz, who’s barely serviceable. And they should be able to find that offensive tackle in Round 2 this year.
The 49ers have a specific type when it comes to right tackles. They like tall, lean right tackles — they almost look like big tight ends. They almost never weigh more than 310 pounds. And they’re all good at running downfield and blocking defenders in space. When the 49ers run outside zone runs, jet sweeps or end arounds, they usually run them to the right, and when they had a young McGlinchey, those plays would pick up big gains. With McKivitz at right tackle, they don’t.
So look for the 49ers to draft Washington right tackle Roger Rosengarten in Round 2 if he’s available. He’s tall, lean and he’s the fastest offensive tackle in the class. Perfect fit.
