Niner Noise
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San Francisco 49ers: Day-two offensive guards to target in the 2018 NFL Draft

By Peter Panacy

AUBURN, AL - SEPTEMBER 10: Quarterback Sean White #13 of the Auburn Tigers carries the ball behind offensive lineman Braden Smith #71 of the Auburn Tigers during their game against the Arkansas State Red Wolves at Jordan Hare Stadium on September 10, 2016 in Auburn, Alabama. (Photo by Michael Chang/Getty Images)
AUBURN, AL - SEPTEMBER 10: Quarterback Sean White #13 of the Auburn Tigers carries the ball behind offensive lineman Braden Smith #71 of the Auburn Tigers during their game against the Arkansas State Red Wolves at Jordan Hare Stadium on September 10, 2016 in Auburn, Alabama. (Photo by Michael Chang/Getty Images) /
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INDIANAPOLIS, IN – MARCH 01: Auburn offensive lineman Braden Smith speaks to the media during NFL Combine press conferences at the Indiana Convention Center on March 1, 2018 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images)
INDIANAPOLIS, IN – MARCH 01: Auburn offensive lineman Braden Smith speaks to the media during NFL Combine press conferences at the Indiana Convention Center on March 1, 2018 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images) /

Braden Smith, Auburn

6-foot-6, 303 pounds

It’s always easy to favorite SEC offensive linemen, as they frequently square off with a sizable chunk of NFL-like defenses within the conference.

Auburn’s Braden Smith is no exception. At 6-foot-6 and 303 pounds, he has the ideal size and frame to constitute an NFL guard with ease. And with his NFLDraftScout.com profile listing him as a fringe second- or early third-round pick, Smith should be there for the taking on day two.

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Smith wins with power. He had 35 bench-press reps at the NFL Scouting Combine, which was tied for second alongside Quenton Nelson. And this strength is well dispersed along Smith’s body.

Where he loses, though, is finding the identical scheme fit.

Keeping in mind Kyle Shanahan’s outside zone, let’s see what NFL.com’s Lance Zierlein had to say:

"Lacks responsive feet to slide and catch blitzers and counter rush moves. Allows rushers to get into his frame. Power zone is narrow affecting balance. Doesn’t have reactive athleticism to mirror opponents movements and keep blocks centered. Has a major hitch coming out of his stance when asked to pull. Needs to play faster with hands. Tardy second level climber."

At this point, it seems as if Smith is better suited to a power-run scheme instead of zone. As was the case with Joshua Garnett, it’s likely the 49ers would have to work on toning down Smith’s physique while working on both his technique and footwork.

Next: Rethinking 49ers' NFL Draft big board after free agency

He’d be an adequate day-one starter, though, which makes this selection easily plausible.