SF 49ers: Odds of each rookie making 53-man roster in 2020
By Peter Panacy
SF 49ers Offensive Lineman Colton McKivitz: 4-to-3
From the first round into the fifth, there are plenty of reasons to assume why all of the Niners’ day-three NFL Draft picks fail to make the 53-man roster.
Fifth-, sixth- and seventh-round picks always face an uphill struggle here, especially within the context of a Super Bowl-caliber roster. And San Francisco’s Round 5 selection, offensive lineman Colton McKivitz, is no exception.
McKivitz has had his moments, particularly shutting down Javon Kinlaw in one-on-one drills. But other than that, the vast majority of camp reports have discussed how much he’s struggled. The SF 49ers have worked him out both at tackle, where he played in college, and inside at guard where he projects to be best at the NFL level.
Neither result has been promising.
But McKivitz has the benefit of a number of offensive line shakeups during the offseason and into training camp. Losses at center, Weston Richburg (knee) and Ben Garland (ankle), could shake things up early in the regular season, opening up the chance for McKivitz to potentially start at right guard if he beats out the veteran, Tom Compton.
Even if McKivitz doesn’t, he stands a better than 50-50 chance of at least making the 53-man group.
Although, under different circumstances, he probably would be best served to spend a year on the practice squad.