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2016 NFL Draft: San Francisco 49ers Picks, Grades and Analysis

By Jerod Brown

Apr 28, 2016; Chicago, IL, USA; A general view of the stage and podium before the 2016 NFL Draft at the Auditorium Theatre. Mandatory Credit: Jerry Lai-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 28, 2016; Chicago, IL, USA; A general view of the stage and podium before the 2016 NFL Draft at the Auditorium Theatre. Mandatory Credit: Jerry Lai-USA TODAY Sports /
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Oct 25, 2014; Stanford, CA, USA; Stanford Cardinal guard Joshua Garnett (51) at the line during the second half against the Oregon State Beavers at Stanford Stadium. Stanford won 38-14. Mandatory Credit: Bob Stanton-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 25, 2014; Stanford, CA, USA; Stanford Cardinal guard Joshua Garnett (51) at the line during the second half against the Oregon State Beavers at Stanford Stadium. Stanford won 38-14. Mandatory Credit: Bob Stanton-USA TODAY Sports /

Round 1, Pick No. 28

Player: OL Joshua Garnett, Stanford

Height/Weight: 6’4”, 312 pounds

With their second selection in the 2016 NFL Draft, the San Francisco 49ers select Joshua Garnett, offensive guard from Stanford.

The 49ers move back up into the first round to select the man that they want. No point in waiting until Day 2 of the 2016 NFL Draft if you’re sure of who you’d like. The selection comes as a slight surprise but there is no doubt that Garnett is an excellent option and worthy of a pick this high.

The 49ers traded their 2016 2nd, 4th and 6th round selections–numbers 37, 105 and 178 overall–to the Kansas City Chiefs for their first and seventh round selections, numbers 28 and 249 overall, respectively.

Paired with their first selection of DeForest Buckner, the 49ers have made a very clear statement–they intend to build a team that wins at the line of scrimmage. In need of an upgrade on the offensive line, the 49ers grab one of the best interior lineman in this draft.

Strengths:

What doesn’t Josh Garnett do well? He is an absolute mauler. Don’t let the fact that he played at Stanford fool you. He played for a coach that runs a pro-style offense and expects heavy power from his offensive lineman. Garnett excels at beating people up at the line of scrimmage.

He is athletic and powerful enough to fit into the 49ers offensive scheme. With accurate and well-timed hand strikes, Garnett will get his hands on people in a hurry and takes excellent angles while moving to the second level. Garnett has a powerful lower body and he uses every bit of oomph in his hips and thighs to start moving people immediately.

Weaknesses:

The main weakness in Garnett’s game may be only relative to the 49ers offensive scheme. If the 49ers expect Garnett to constantly be out in front on the edge, they’re asking something that he realistically cannot give play-in and play-out.

Garnett will get guys out of the way but he locks on and begins to narrow his own vision while focusing on beating his man up. In the 49ers zone scheme, he’ll need to train his eyes to remain alert and work with teammates to peel off double teams at appropriate times.

As a pass-protector, Garnett is unrefined. He’ll benefit by playing next to left tackle Joe Staley, who can communicate effectively on the field and put Garnett in a position to succeed.

Why He Fits:

Garnett isn’t an immediate fit. He certainly fills an immediate need but he isn’t the ideal zone-scheme offensive guard. Garnett has the athleticism and power to succeed almost anywhere, but he’ll need time to settle in to the 49ers system over summertime.

Playing next to an All-Pro like Staley will certainly help Garnett as he becomes a dominant offensive lineman in the NFC West. The 49ers have watched guards Alex Boone and Mike Iupati leave over the last two years. They’ve found a powerful and impressive replacement in Stanford’s Joshua Garnett.

Grade: B+

Next: Round 3: Cornerback, Will Redmond