Niner Noise
FanSided

San Francisco 49ers: Full position grades for the 2018 season

By Peter Panacy

SANTA CLARA, CA - DECEMBER 16: Jeff Wilson #41 of the San Francisco 49ers celebrates after a 16-yard run against the Seattle Seahawks in overtime of their NFL game at Levi's Stadium on December 16, 2018 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)
SANTA CLARA, CA - DECEMBER 16: Jeff Wilson #41 of the San Francisco 49ers celebrates after a 16-yard run against the Seattle Seahawks in overtime of their NFL game at Levi's Stadium on December 16, 2018 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images) /
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INDIANAPOLIS, IN – AUGUST 25: Mike McGlinchey #69 of the San Francisco 49ers looks on in the second quarter of a preseason game against the Indianapolis Colts at Lucas Oil Stadium on August 25, 2018 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images)
INDIANAPOLIS, IN – AUGUST 25: Mike McGlinchey #69 of the San Francisco 49ers looks on in the second quarter of a preseason game against the Indianapolis Colts at Lucas Oil Stadium on August 25, 2018 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images) /

C+. . . . OFFENSIVE LINE

It’s pretty clear the 49ers made the right move to grab offensive tackle Mike McGlinchey with their first pick in the 2018 NFL Draft. He’s not quite a finished product, of course, and he could still show some improvement in pass protection.

But there’s always this to consider:

McGlinchey’s run blocking was a key reason why the 49ers were able to average 4.5 yards per carry this season — 12th best in the league despite a banged-up running back corps. And Football Outsiders ranked the Niners offensive line ranked 10th overall in run blocking.

But Football Outsiders also ranked this same O-line unit 22nd in pass protection, and its 48 sacks allowed were the 10th most among all teams.

Part of the problem was interior pass protection, particularly with offensive guards Laken Tomlinson and Weston Richburg allowing four sacks apiece and a combined 47 hurries between them.

Veteran left tackle Joe Staley still looks like he can play another 10 years.