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2017 NFL Draft: Post-Free Agency 49ers 7-Round Mock

By Logan Stanley

Sep 19, 2015; College Station, TX, USA; Texas A&M Aggies defensive lineman Myles Garrett (15) reacts after a play during the second quarter against the Nevada Wolf Pack at Kyle Field. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 19, 2015; College Station, TX, USA; Texas A&M Aggies defensive lineman Myles Garrett (15) reacts after a play during the second quarter against the Nevada Wolf Pack at Kyle Field. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports /
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Nov 26, 2016; Columbus, OH, USA; Ohio State Buckeyes offensive lineman Pat Elflein (65) blocks during the second quarter against the Michigan Wolverines at Ohio Stadium. Ohio State won 30-27. Mandatory Credit: Joe Maiorana-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 26, 2016; Columbus, OH, USA; Ohio State Buckeyes offensive lineman Pat Elflein (65) blocks during the second quarter against the Michigan Wolverines at Ohio Stadium. Ohio State won 30-27. Mandatory Credit: Joe Maiorana-USA TODAY Sports /

Round 3, No. 66: C Pat Elflein

Top 300 ranking: 74

John Lynch has emphasized his philosophy that the game of football is won in the trenches; that was a point made in a February KNBR interview. Clearly, the 49ers moving forward are going to value the line positions.

With Marcus Martin being cut, the depth chart at center for San Francisco is Daniel Kilgore and Alex Balducci.

Now Lynch has already come out and said he truly likes the pieces they currently have on both lines, but that doesn’t necessarily mean the 49ers are going to be looking away from the positions.

If Kilgore were to get hurt again (he has ended up on the injured reserve two of the past three seasons), is Balducci ready to fill in? What if Balducci gets hurt himself? This actually happened last year — injuries forced guard Zane Beadles to play center.

That is a situation that needs to be avoided and Elflein fills that hole. And he fills that hole well, too. Elflein is being seen as the No.1 rated center prospect in this year’s draft. Duke Manyweather, an offensive line scout, breaks down Elflein’s play:

Elflein’s presence would be welcomed on the depth chart, and with Kilgore approaching 30, the Ohio State product could be a possible heir in place as well.