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2018 NFL Draft: Why the 49ers should take OT Mike McGlinchey in Round 1

By Joseph Naki

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) /
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The San Francisco 49ers need to find a replacement for veteran left tackle Joe Staley soon. Selecting OT Mike McGlinchey of Notre Dame in the first round of the 2018 NFL Draft would be a home run for the Niners.

In recent articles, I wrote about the San Francisco 49ers addressing the linebacker position as priority No. 1 in the 2018 NFL Draft. With Reuben Foster’s off-field issues looming large — and with the possibility of a lengthy suspension, if not cut loose by the team — the draft would need to provide the Niners with an elite linebacker at No. 9 overall.

However, the 49ers re-signed LB Brock Coyle to a three-year deal, and in recent days, added free-agent LB Korey Toomer via a one-year deal, providing the Niners with a stopgap foundation for Foster’s possible suspension.

How does the signings of Coyle and Toomer affect the 49ers draft selections?

More from SF 49ers Draft

The linebacker position is under control for, at least, the short-term view. Also the Niners need not take a linebacker at No. 9 overall. And, in fact, they are able to address pressing team needs like EDGE, cornerback and offensive linemen.

I wrote an article looking at the aging Joe Staley, and if it would make sense to trade the veteran offensive tackle to get younger and more athletic on the perimeter. I also placed his current contract, ending after the 2019 season, into perspective in a possible trade with teams needing a veteran OT. In particular, a trade with the Cleveland Browns.

The offensive tackle position is definitely a spot in need of addressing regardless if Staley finishes out his contract or not. Will it be this year or next year?

Either way, targeting former Notre Dame offensive tackle Mike McGlinchey would be a wise move in the NFL Draft.

Mike McGlinchey, OT, Notre Dame

At 6-foot-8, weighing a solid 312 pounds, McGlinchey is an NFL body capable of moving men around.

At the NFL Scouting Combine, McGlinchey’s numbers didn’t exactly wow the audience. But he had a respectable appearance on the bench press, spotting a good 24 reps to his credit.

Described by scouts as a “meat and potatoes” type of guy, I guess that’s kind of what you get with McGlinchey — a no frills, no bells and whistles guy, but a man that brings his lunch pail everyday ready to work.

Blue collar is not a bad thing in the trenches. In fact, its whats needed in the NFL.

San Francisco 49ers
San Francisco 49ers /

San Francisco 49ers

Moving forward, McGlinchey would make a great fit for the Niners. But at No. 9 overall, there are much more talented players available for the 49ers to take.

McGlinchey is a talent that would be available to the Niners in the middle of the first round. Taking McGlinchey No. 9 overall would be overdrafting, and this is something the 49ers do not want to do again.

Trading down to the Buffalo Bills at No. 12, or the Arizona Cardinals at No. 15, would place San Francisco in prime position to select the former Fighting Irish, and securing additional draft picks in the process wouldn’t be a bad thing.

Running an outside-zone run scheme, head coach Kyle Shanahan must see the intangibles McGlinchey brings in terms of athleticism, quickness of foot and owning a vicious tenacity when engaged with the opponent.

The former Fighting Irish would make a good replacement for Staley, but moreover, give the 49ers youth in scheme and on the perimeter.

McGlinchey is a perfect fit for the San Francisco 49ers. McGlinchey is definitely a first-round talent.

Here at Niner Noise, we know the positional needs the 49ers must address in this years draft:

  • EDGE
  • Boundary cornerback
  • Offensive linemen
  • Linebacker

Not necessarily in this order, but maintaining true to its roster, general manager John Lynch must select players in these positional categories.

If the price is right, choosing a legitimate OT in the first round would not hinder draft plans for Lynch one iota. Lynch would still be able to get his EDGE guy at No. 59 overall, in the likes of Uchenna Nwosu, Hercules Mata’afa or possibly Dorance Armstrong Jr. And since the cornerback position is fairly deep with talent in this draft, Lynch would be able to secure a good CB in the third round, where he has two selections at his hands.

More than likely, Lynch will go out and secure an EDGE with his No. 9 overall selection. It only makes sense to draft a true EDGE guy like Marcus Davenport than to rely on Arik ‘the heartless wonder’ Armstead, or Solomon ‘the project’ Thomas to pressure quarterbacks.

All eyes are on Lynch and his game plan will show quickly come draft day. Let’s hope for a strong showing.