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San Francisco 49ers: Projecting Each Prospect’s Role in 2016

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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Nov 28, 2015; Atlanta, GA, USA; Georgia Bulldogs running back Sony Michel (1) reacts with offensive tackle John Theus (71) after scoring a touchdown against the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets during the first quarter at Bobby Dodd Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 28, 2015; Atlanta, GA, USA; Georgia Bulldogs running back Sony Michel (1) reacts with offensive tackle John Theus (71) after scoring a touchdown against the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets during the first quarter at Bobby Dodd Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports /

John Theus-Offensive Tackle

Fifth Round-No. 145 Overall

Fahn Cooper-Offensive Tackle

Fifth Round-No. 174 Overall

I’ve included both offensive tackles here because they provide the exact same type of value to the 49ers. In the later rounds, 29 selection spots isn’t a wide margin and these two players are roughly equal in terms of ability.

The Anthony Davis saga should be coming to an end soon and we’ve beaten that thing to death. Just as Trent Baalke is done talking about Anthony Davis, so am I. When he shows up, we’ll talk. As of now, let’s focus on who is here.

Trent Brown ended the year as the starting right tackle. By all expectations, he’ll begin 2016 as the starting right tackle.

Theus and Cooper come in as SEC tackles that faced the best competition in college football. Having watched four games on each player, I can tell you that they both leave a lot to be desired. If you’re curious what my scouting notes look like, read ’em for yourself.

Theus and Cooper shouldn’t start in 2016. If so, Trent Brown is significantly worse than expected. Both Theus and Cooper are on the Erik Pears-level of offensive line play. They add some depth, and could start if they had to, but it would a rough outing and you better run the opposite direction often.

On the bright side, adding two fifth-round SEC tackles means that the 49ers are going to start dropping some of the dead weight on the offensive line. Pears may be asked to backup at both tackle spots and at guard–he played guard at the end of 2015–while Marcus Martin and Brandon Thomas compete for an interior offensive line position.

Chip Kelly had nine offensive lineman on the active 53-man roster as head coach in Philadelphia. For fun, let’s predict the nine offensive lineman he’ll have in San Francisco.

Tackles-Joe Staley, Trent Brown, John Theus, Fahn Cooper

Guards- Joshua Garnett, Zane Beadles, Andrew Tiller

Centers- Daniel Kilgore, Marcus Martin

Next: Jeff Driskel