Niner Noise
FanSided

San Francisco 49ers: Ranking the top 25 players for 2018

By Chris Wilson

SANTA CLARA, CA - NOVEMBER 20: DeForest Buckner #99 of the San Francisco 49ers reacts after he sacked Tom Brady #12 of the New England Patriots at Levi's Stadium on November 20, 2016 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)
SANTA CLARA, CA - NOVEMBER 20: DeForest Buckner #99 of the San Francisco 49ers reacts after he sacked Tom Brady #12 of the New England Patriots at Levi's Stadium on November 20, 2016 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images) /
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San Francisco 49ers Mike McGlinchey
GLENDALE, AZ – JANUARY 01: Wide receiver Chris Brown #2 of the Notre Dame Fighting Irish (top) celebrates his third quarter touchdown with offensive lineman Mike McGlinchey #68 (right) during the BattleFrog Fiesta Bowl against the Ohio State Buckeyes at University of Phoenix Stadium on January 1, 2016 in Glendale, Arizona. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images) /

13. T Mike McGlinchey

The majority of NFL rookies selected in the first round of the draft — particularly in the top half of the first round — are expected to make an immediate impact with their respective teams. However, both of the 49ers’ starting tackles from 2017 were signed through the upcoming season when the team drafted tackle Mike McGlinchey with the ninth overall pick in the 2018 NFL Draft.

The Niners answered any questions surrounding McGlinchey’s immediate role with the team when they shipped starting right tackle Trent Brown to the New England Patriots the next day. McGlinchey will begin the season as a starter on the 49ers’ offensive line, replacing one of the league’s best pass-blocking right tackles.

Adding to his challenges as a rookie, McGlinchey won’t have the advantage of an established top-tier blocker lined up beside him — like he did last season at Notre Dame — as the 49ers’ starting right guard job is still up for grabs. In 2018, McGlinchey will need to hold his own in the passing game, while demonstrating he is a significant upgrade over Brown in the running game.