Niner Noise
FanSided

Power ranking 49ers 2019 NFL Draft class after first 3 weeks

By Peter Panacy

NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE - APRIL 25: Nick Bosa of Ohio State reacts after being chosen #2 overall by the San Francisco 49ers during the first round of the 2019 NFL Draft on April 25, 2019 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)
NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE - APRIL 25: Nick Bosa of Ohio State reacts after being chosen #2 overall by the San Francisco 49ers during the first round of the 2019 NFL Draft on April 25, 2019 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images) /
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KANSAS CITY, MISSOURI – AUGUST 24: Offensive tackle Justin Skule #67 of the San Francisco 49ers in action during the preseason game against the Kansas City Chiefs at Arrowhead Stadium on August 24, 2019 in Kansas City, Missouri. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images)
KANSAS CITY, MISSOURI – AUGUST 24: Offensive tackle Justin Skule #67 of the San Francisco 49ers in action during the preseason game against the Kansas City Chiefs at Arrowhead Stadium on August 24, 2019 in Kansas City, Missouri. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images) /

Justin Skule. 4. player. 42. . .

It was a bit of a tossup, placing offensive tackle Justin Skule just ahead of Dre Greenlaw. But there’s good reason.

Skule suddenly finds himself in a vital position, filling in for the injured veteran, Joe Staley, who is out for at least the next five weeks with a broken leg. And his task, in addition to helping open up San Francisco’s rushes to the left side of the formation, will be keeping quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo‘s blind side safe.

The former Vanderbilt tackle, who was unrefined yet productive in college, handled himself relatively well during his first start against the Steelers in Week 3. Sure, he was flagged for penalties three times. But he only allowed one pressure, according to Pro Football Focus.

For a first-year player going up against a good Pittsburgh pass rush, that’s not terrible at all. Skule finds himself squarely at No. 4 on this list.