49ers don’t have to use first-round pick in 2018 NFL Draft on an offensive lineman

The San Francisco 49ers have to plug a few holes via the NFL Draft this offseason, and Niner Noise explores why the offensive line might not be priority No. 1 with their first pick.

No, I’m not equivocating. I’d be thrilled if the San Francisco 49ers took a road-grader offensive lineman, like Notre Dame guard Quenton Nelson, with their first pick in the 2018 NFL Draft.

Rather, this is just the counter argument. And with any topic leading up through draft season, it’s wise to explore both angles.

The Niners interior O-line needs work this offseason. We know this, especially with center Daniel Kilgore and right guard Brandon Fusco unsigned for 2018. Pair that with two-year guard Joshua Garnett coming off knee surgery, it’s anyone’s guess what this unit will look like this upcoming year.

San Francisco 49ers

San Francisco owns either the No. 9 or No. 10 pick in the draft, depending on a coin flip with the Oakland Raiders.

It’s possible a highly touted O-lineman is within reach, perhaps Nelson. And in this article, we’ll explore the reasons why the Niners don’t need to make a move for a player like Nelson.

Or this position altogether.

49ers’ On-Roster Options

Armed with nearly $115 million in available cap space this offseason, per Over the Cap, the 49ers don’t have to worry about pinching pennies.

That said, they want to stay reasonable.

And one of those options would be re-signing Kilgore — backing up an argument made by Niners Nation’s Jennifer Lee Chan, who wrote:

"It’s likely, with what Kilgore has said, that he would be willing to sign a team friendly, short term deal, which really is a no lose situation for the 49ers. Unlike a rookie, they know what they have in him and will at least have time to develop a center of the future."

Kilgore finished 2017 with a Pro Football Focus pass-blocking efficiency rating of 97.1, which ranks 20th out of all qualifiers. But if we look at the splits after quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo took over starting duties in Week 13, the number jumps to 99.2 — sixth best in the NFL.

More on the Garoppolo factor in a second.

Applying the same rule to left guard Laken Tomlinson, who is widely viewed as the biggest liability, his season PBE rating of 95.2 (49th) jumps to 97.4 (20th) post Week 13.

Unlike Kilgore or Fusco, Tomlinson is signed through 2018. Assuming the Niners re-ink Kilgore and/or Fusco, combined with a promising return of Garnett, one can see how this unit is starting to jell.

The Free-Agent Factor

Carolina Panthers left guard Andrew Norwell — a 2017 first-team All-Pro and PFF’s third-highest graded guard (88.8) is a prime target in free agency.

Former Panthers offensive coordinator Mike Shula ran one of the most complex running offenses in the NFL last season, which plays right into Norwell’s fit in head coach Kyle Shanahan’s outside-zone scheme.

Without getting into too much detail or speculation, would a possible Norwell signing completely eliminate the 49ers’ need to use a first-round pick on an interior O-lineman?

Probably. Especially when paired with the aforementioned re-signings.

The Jimmy Garoppolo Factor

San Francisco’s O-line took a major step forward after Garoppolo was given the starting nod.

Before Week 13, this group ranked 19th in PFF’s pass-blocking efficiency rating with a 76.8 mark. Over those final five weeks, though, the Niners’ 84.9 PBE rating was fourth best in the NFL.

Why? Garoppolo.

The thing to note here is how Garoppolo handles pressure. Take a look at this note from PFF (h/t 49ers Webzone):

Granted, the pressures still count in PFF’s matrix. But the ability to get the ball out sooner and more decisively — especially when compared to the Niners’ previous two quarterbacks, Brian Hoyer and C.J. Beathard — does wonders in improving the overall look of the O-line.

Protecting Garoppolo remains a priority. And that’s a primary reason why San Francisco shouldn’t ignore of the offensive line altogether.

Targeting a player like Nelson is still smart. Heck, he’d be a fine addition to a unit that could benefit from an infusion of both youth and prowess.

Next: 5 players should avoid in Round 1 of the 2018 NFL Draft

But based off this breakdown, going O-line first in the NFL Draft might not be as big a must as you would think.