Niner Noise
FanSided

San Francisco 49ers: 5 Rookies Who Could Start Right Away in 2016

By Peter Panacy

Photo courtesy of 49ers.com.
Photo courtesy of 49ers.com. /
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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 /

Offensive Guard Joshua Garnett, Stanford

Collegiate Statistics

The 49ers’ move back into Round 1 to select Stanford guard Joshua Garnett might have been somewhat of a reach, especially if you ask ESPN’s Mel Kiper Jr., but the Niners got a plug-and-play starter with their second pick of the 2016 NFL Draft.

Garnett, the recipient of the 2015 Outland Tropy — awarded to the best NCAA interior lineman — and Consensus All-American, is likely penciled in to occupy one of the two starting guard positions in 2016.

With former 49ers guard Alex Boone no longer in the picture, and despite the free-agent acquisition of veteran guard Zane Beadles, Garnett still looks to be a favorite to land a starting job over linemen like Andrew Tiller, Marcus Martin and Brandon Thomas.

Like tackle Fahn Cooper on the previous slide, Garnett’s primary strength is in the running game. He’ll have some adjustments to make in head coach Chip Kelly’s zone-blocking scheme, and Garnett’s pass protection needs some work, but there is more than enough to be excited about regarding Garnett’s potential.

Just look:

Those are just some of Garnett’s abilities in the running game. And the 49ers want an early return on their investment, so it’s easy to predict Garnett earns a starting job in 2016.

Next: DE DeForest Buckner