Niner Noise
FanSided

San Francisco 49ers: 10 players to watch during 2019 training camp

By Peter Panacy

SANTA CLARA, CA - AUGUST 7: San Francisco 49ers stretch during a practice session at Levi's Stadium on August 7, 2015 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Lachlan Cunningham/Getty Images)
SANTA CLARA, CA - AUGUST 7: San Francisco 49ers stretch during a practice session at Levi's Stadium on August 7, 2015 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Lachlan Cunningham/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) /

No. 6: Offensive Tackle Mike McGlinchey

One year after the 49ers used the No. 9 overall pick in the 2018 NFL Draft on Notre Dame offensive tackle Mike McGlinchey, all the signs are pointing to it being the right choice.

McGlinchey stepped in right away and secured the starting right tackle job, earning plenty of accolades and recognition as a run-blocking mauler — a key reason why San Francisco’s ground game was so effective last season despite the injury to Jerick McKinnon.

That said, McGlinchey was far from perfect in pass protection.

McGlinchey led the Niners in sacks allowed last season (five), according to Pro Football Focus. And while it’s not uncommon to see first-year offensive linemen struggle in either one department or another — few linemen are equally good at run blocking and pass protection in year one — the hope is for the right tackle to show some serious improvement his second season.

The pads have yet to come on during 49ers practices, and that won’t happen until later in training camp.

But with the Niners reinforcing their edge rush during the offseason, McGlinchey will have plenty of chances to hone his skills in this particular area.

San Francisco is banking on him doing so.