Niner Noise
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2018 NFL Draft: 5 prospects the 49ers can target with their first pick

By Peter Panacy

ATLANTA, GA - DECEMBER 03: Minkah Fitzpatrick #29 of the Alabama Crimson Tide returns an interception for a touchdown against the Florida Gators in the first quarter during the SEC Championship game at the Georgia Dome on December 3, 2016 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)
ATLANTA, GA - DECEMBER 03: Minkah Fitzpatrick #29 of the Alabama Crimson Tide returns an interception for a touchdown against the Florida Gators in the first quarter during the SEC Championship game at the Georgia Dome on December 3, 2016 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images) /
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SOUTH BEND, IN – OCTOBER 17: Quenton Nelson #56 of the Notre Dame Fighting Irish celebrates after a 10-yard touchdown reception by Corey Robinson against the USC Trojans in the fourth quarter of the game at Notre Dame Stadium on October 17, 2015 in South Bend, Indiana. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images)
SOUTH BEND, IN – OCTOBER 17: Quenton Nelson #56 of the Notre Dame Fighting Irish celebrates after a 10-yard touchdown reception by Corey Robinson against the USC Trojans in the fourth quarter of the game at Notre Dame Stadium on October 17, 2015 in South Bend, Indiana. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images) /

No. 1: Offensive Guard Quenton Nelson, Notre Dame

6-foot-5, 330 pounds, Senior

Equally important as providing quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo with weapons is ensuring he’s protected up front.

Despite a nice turnaround late last year — which Niner Noise illustrated as to why the offensive line may not be a top priority in the NFL Draft — there are more than a few questions along the interior O-line positions this offseason.

Center Daniel Kilgore and right guard Brandon Fusco are unsigned for 2018. Left guard Laken Tomlinson is probably best suited for backup duties, and who knows what the regime sees in third-year pro Joshua Garnett.

If the offensive trenches end up being priority No. 1 for general manager John Lynch, the team could do much, much worse than target Notre Dame guard Quenton Nelson.

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Nelson is, perhaps, the best O-linemen in this year’s draft class. Some may argue he’s the best interior blocking prospect we’ve seen the past few years. So it makes sense he’s listed at No. 1 on Bleacher Report’s Matt Miller’s big board for this position.

One of the best monikers I’ve heard assigned to Nelson is “road grader.” Watching the film, it’s not hard to see why. He’s excellent in run support, holds up exceptionally well in pass protection and also has the physical tools to work well within head coach Kyle Shanahan’s outside-zone blocking scheme.

Again, a lot of what happens here depends on the 49ers’ actions in free agency. Re-signing some of their own pending free agents might negate this need to a point. So could bringing in a high-profile free agent, like the Carolina Panthers’ Andrew Norwell.

Next: Mocking out all 7 rounds for 49ers in the 2018 NFL Draft

Either way, landing Nelson in Round 1 of the NFL Draft would still go a long way in ensuring San Francisco’s O-line establishes dominance for years to come.