Niner Noise
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2016 NFL Draft: 5 Players the San Francisco 49ers Must Target

By Peter Panacy

Aug 30, 2014; South Bend, IN, USA; Notre Dame Fighting Irish offensive lineman Ronnie Stanley (78) waits between plays during the game agains the Rice Owls at Notre Dame Stadium. Notre Dame won 48-17. Mandatory Credit: Matt Cashore-USA TODAY Sports
Aug 30, 2014; South Bend, IN, USA; Notre Dame Fighting Irish offensive lineman Ronnie Stanley (78) waits between plays during the game agains the Rice Owls at Notre Dame Stadium. Notre Dame won 48-17. Mandatory Credit: Matt Cashore-USA TODAY Sports /
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Dec 30, 2014; Nashville, TN, USA; Notre Dame Fighting Irish offensive lineman Ronnie Stanley (78) celebrates defeating the LSU Tigers 31-28 during the second half at LP Field. Mandatory Credit: Jim Brown-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 30, 2014; Nashville, TN, USA; Notre Dame Fighting Irish offensive lineman Ronnie Stanley (78) celebrates defeating the LSU Tigers 31-28 during the second half at LP Field. Mandatory Credit: Jim Brown-USA TODAY Sports /

Offensive Tackle Ronnie Stanley, Notre Dame

6’6″, 315 pounds

Collegiate Statistics

OK, it’s time to get into Round 1 territory.

San Francisco’s first-round selection will obviously come with a lot of scrutiny. But solving the mess that was the 49ers offensive line last season wouldn’t be a bad approach from general manager Trent Baalke.

Notre Dame offensive tackle Ronnie Staley is projected by CBS Sports as the No. 7 overall prospect. And the 49ers own the seventh pick. Not to say the order will be based on this, but Stanley to San Francisco wouldn’t be bad at all.

Here’s what CBS Sports’ Dane Brugler and Rob Rang had to say about him:

"Besides size, athleticism and toughness, Stanley shows other traits that will earn him kudos with scouts, including good awareness and competitiveness. Keeps his head on a swivel and looks for peel back blocks on defenders in pursuit. Will block one defender before switching off to hit another. Further, he’s more technically sound than one might expect for a young player. Stanley shoots his hands to stun defenders but isn’t over-aggressive, demonstrating the patience that most blockers don’t develop for years. He understands blocking with angles, using arm bars and running with defenders downfield to keep his opponent from making the tackle."

Stanley is somewhat raw, which will require some patience at first. But the 49ers may have the luxury to be somewhat patient here.

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Retired right tackle Anthony Davis could return from his one-year absence from the NFL. And second-year pro Trent Brown appears to be developing nicely. But Davis could be moved inside, which would allow for an open competition between Brown and Stanley in 2016. The loser could eventually be groomed into a long-term replacement for left tackle Joe Staley.

Shoring up the O-line needs to be atop San Francisco’s priority list this offseason. And Stanley would be a great way to go about doing this.

Next: 5 Senior Bowl Prospects who Impressed During the Game

All statistics, records and accolades courtesy of Pro-Football-Reference.com and Sports-Reference.com unless otherwise indicated.