2016 NFL Draft: San Francisco 49ers Picks, Grades and Analysis
By Jerod Brown
Round 5, Pick No. 37, 174th Overall
Player: OT Fahn Cooper, Ole Miss
Height/Weight: 6’4″, 303 pounds
The 49ers use their final selection in the fifth round to select a tackle from Ole Miss. No, it isn’t the elite left tackle Laremy Tunsil, but his linemate Fahn Cooper. After selecting John Theus with the previous pick, the 49ers decide to do the same thing and select another tackle from the SEC to compete along the line.
Cooper will push poor players like Erik Pears to either get better or get out, but he shouldn’t be of much concern for Trent Brown. Based on the tackles the 49ers selected, it’s clear they like Brown as a starting tackle in 2016.
Similarly to Theus, I scouted Cooper heavily and came away with the following notes.
Strengths:
Doesn’t waste time trying to get his hands on you. Reminds me of a fighter that specializes in dirty boxing. Would prefer you close where he can just man you up. Not always most efficient or productive but he also won’t get embarrassed that way.
Ole Miss’ offense asked him to hinge block a lot. Not his fault, he’s just playing opposite the best tackle in the draft. Crosses DTs well on inside runs, part of that dirty boxer mentality. Times a guess about when DL has used his “move” before he anchors. If he’s right, that’s it. But if a DL comes with multiple, varied moves in a single play, Cooper leans and leaves the edge exposed in a bad way.
Weaknesses:
Does well to scrape off of double teams but does not transition his hips fluidly to take them over when teammates peel off. Will randomly throw a giddy-up into his pass set that chaotically speeds things up and forces a hop. Heavy feet if a defender rushes inside on him. Kicks comfortably to right but can’t establish position with his left foot.
Uncomfortable in a crowded pocket. Odd intersection of what seems to be his preference in pass pro, he wants to set space and then draw you in tight. Literally reaches out at defenders often rather than punching to engage. I think that’s a product of his preference for playing with his arms tight. Won’t last with that at NFL level.
Why He Fits:
Cooper has experience in the toughest conference in College Football and he has the size to start at tackle in the NFL. The 49ers spend a couple late picks to grab guys that can challenge Brown for the job but it is clear that they didn’t feel it was a major need. Otherwise, they would’ve invested earlier and in better players.
Cooper will come in as a camp body and he challenge as a swing tackle in the beginning. He likely isn’t ready to start for another year while he cleans up some of the technical holes in his game. He got away with poor technique in college as a big, strong dude but he won’t last against powerful edge-rushers in the NFL.
The 49ers take another tackle at a spot that doesn’t inspire much confidence. With other needs, and explosive players available, the 49ers decided to grab another tackle to compete with the underwhelming one they selected just 29 picks earlier. Ideally, the 49ers would’ve either spent a higher pick to grab a tackle or use these later picks to bring explosive players along.
Grade: D+
Next: Round 6: Jeff Driskel, Quarterback