Niner Noise
FanSided

2018 NFL Draft: 49ers land an offensive tackle in FanSided’s latest mock

By Peter Panacy

SOUTH BEND, IN - SEPTEMBER 02: Mike McGlinchey #68 of the Notre Dame Fighting Irish celebrates as he leaves the field following a game against the Temple Owls at Notre Dame Stadium on September 2, 2017 in South Bend, Indiana. The Irish won 49-16. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images)
SOUTH BEND, IN - SEPTEMBER 02: Mike McGlinchey #68 of the Notre Dame Fighting Irish celebrates as he leaves the field following a game against the Temple Owls at Notre Dame Stadium on September 2, 2017 in South Bend, Indiana. The Irish won 49-16. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit

FanSided’s latest mock for the 2018 NFL Draft has the San Francisco 49ers grabbing Notre Dame offensive tackle Mike McGlinchey with their first pick. Let’s break it down.

The folks over at FanSided have released their latest mock for the 2018 NFL Draft, and the San Francisco 49ers are going to focus on their offensive line with pick No. 9 overall.

And the selection? Notre Dame offensive tackle Mike McGlinchey.

Here’s what Brad Weiss of FanSided said in his assessment:

San Francisco 49ers
San Francisco 49ers /

San Francisco 49ers

"Joe Staley is a great player at left tackle, and has developed into one of the best at the position in the NFC. With pick No. 9, the 49ers may decide to bring in Mike McGlinchey from Notre Dame, who could be the team’s right tackle for as long as Staley decides to stay in the Bay Area. Having both Staley and McGlinchey would give [Jimmy] Garoppolo two bookend tackles, and if the team does sign Garoppolo long-term, they will at least be protecting their best asset with this pick."

Interesting selection. And there are reasons to believe it to be possible.

Mocking an offensive lineman to San Francisco isn’t anything new. McGlinchey’s Notre Dame teammate, offensive guard Quenton Nelson, is a Niner Noise NFL Draft crush, for sure. But his stock has risen, and it wouldn’t be a shocker to see him go as early as No. 3 to the O-line-needy Indianapolis Colts.

Still, Weiss’ breakdown has its merits. Let’s look at both sides of the equation, though.

Why Mike McGlinchey to the 49ers Makes Sense

Finding a long-term replacement for Staley is on San Francisco’s radar. He’ll be 34 years old this season. Despite coming off another Pro Bowl-caliber year and hinting at wanting to play a few more years, adding someone like McGlinchey would help ensure the eventual turnover isn’t going to be an issue.

In the meantime, McGlinchey would likely be inserted at right tackle, creating an obvious competition with the incumbent, Trent Brown.

MIAMI GARDENS, FL – NOVEMBER 27: Trent Brown #77 of the San Francisco 49ers blocks Cameron Wake #91 of the Miami Dolphins during the 1st quarter of the game at Hard Rock Stadium on November 27, 2016 in Miami Gardens, Florida. (Photo by Eric Espada/Getty Images)
MIAMI GARDENS, FL – NOVEMBER 27: Trent Brown #77 of the San Francisco 49ers blocks Cameron Wake #91 of the Miami Dolphins during the 1st quarter of the game at Hard Rock Stadium on November 27, 2016 in Miami Gardens, Florida. (Photo by Eric Espada/Getty Images) /

Matt Barrows of the Sacramento Bee suggested the 49ers might not feel as confident about signing Brown to a long-term deal after a number of injuries last season. If that’s the case, and with Brown signed through 2018 only, taking a top-ranked tackle in the NFL Draft now should be a priority.

Why It Doesn’t Make Sense

Prior to Garoppolo’s dealing to the 49ers, addressing the O-line was going to be a top need. But not necessarily at tackle. The interior positions, especially with center Daniel Kilgore and right guard Brandon Fusco unsigned in 2018, needed attention.

After Garoppolo joined, though, San Francisco’s O-line play improved dramatically. We won’t get too deep into the specifics — you can read more about that here — but, simply put, Garoppolo’s presence made everyone’s jobs along the O-line much easier.

Related Story: Why 49ers don't need to use a first-round pick on an O-lineman

Sure, Garoppolo’s presence doesn’t solve the Niners’ pending free-agent questions with Kilgore and Fusco. But neither does suggesting McGlinchey move inside to an interior spot either. He’s not a prototypical guard-like prospect, and I’ve seen scouting reports reading he’s a better fit in a power-run scheme. Not the zone style operated by head coach Kyle Shanahan.

Overall, solving the tackle question isn’t as glaring a need as some of the others the Niners face this offseason. Not to say the issue doesn’t exist, but it’s just not as pressing.

More from Niner Noise

San Francisco can afford to pass on a player like McGlinchey in this year’s NFL Draft, using that top pick to grab another area of need.

Both an edge-bending pass-rusher and cornerback should be much higher on the list than offensive tackle.

Next: Chris Wilson of Niner Noise mocks out all 7 rounds for the 49ers

Either way, we’ll see what general manager John Lynch elects to do when the 2018 NFL Draft kicks off on April 26.