Regrading the 49ers’ 2018 NFL Draft class after one year
By Peter Panacy
![ARLINGTON, TX - APRIL 26: A video board displays an image of Mike McGlinchey of Notre Dame after he was picked #9 overall by the San Francisco 49ers during the first round of the 2018 NFL Draft at AT&T Stadium on April 26, 2018 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Tom Pennington/Getty Images) ARLINGTON, TX - APRIL 26: A video board displays an image of Mike McGlinchey of Notre Dame after he was picked #9 overall by the San Francisco 49ers during the first round of the 2018 NFL Draft at AT&T Stadium on April 26, 2018 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Tom Pennington/Getty Images)](https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/c_fill,w_720,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto/shape/cover/sport/ab831ddb19d92794ef31666093f7517c0b363b76ca59ebdd63b2273f01b46152.jpg)
Notre Dame. MIKE MCGLINCHEY. B+. . Offensive Tackle
It was a bit of a shock when the 49ers selected offensive tackle Mike McGlinchey at No. 9 overall in 2018. After all, the Niners already had a starting right tackle, Trent Brown, who seemed to be locked in as the team’s starter.
San Francisco 49ers
But San Francisco traded off Brown to the New England Patriots the following day, essentially guaranteeing McGlinchey a starting spot his rookie season.
McGlinchey didn’t disappoint, either.
Pro Football Focus gave McGlinchey a respectable 73.2 overall grade on the season. But it’s McGlinchey’s run-blocking efforts, which should garner the most attention. PFF gave the Notre Dame product a 78.2 grade here, which ranked third best among all eligible tackles. Not just rookies.
While the McGlinchey pick seemed a bit puzzling at the time, the 49ers appear to have found their bookend for the next 10 years. The only thing keeping McGlinchey from being a true A-grade, in this case, is the fact he was tagged by PFF with allowing a team-high five sacks in 2018.
There were also other players available, who might have been able to provide a bigger impact at No. 9 overall, such as now-Los Angeles Chargers All-Pro safety Derwin James.
Still, McGlinchey looks like he was the right pick.