SF 49ers NFL Draft: 7-round non-quarterback mock for 2021
By Peter Panacy
Round 1, Pick No. 14 Overall: SF 49ers select center Creed Humphrey, Oklahoma
player. 815. . Center. Sooners . Creed Humphrey. 14
2020 hasn’t been kind to the SF 49ers as far as injuries go, and the offensive line has suffered its share in particular, especially after missing veteran center Weston Richburg all year after a 2019 knee injury, then losing his primary backup, Ben Garland, to injured reserve with a calf injury.
Richburg’s lucrative contract and recent injury history could prompt a cap-savings move at some point next season, and smart teams rarely shy away from upgrading the trenches before addressing other needs.
A cornerback like Alabama’s Patrick Surtain II would have been nice here, but he could easily be a top-10 pick.
Instead, the choice is Oklahoma center Creed Humphrey, whom Pro Football Network labeled as the best interior linemen in college football entering 2020.
Humphrey is also one of the smartest offensive linemen coming out in this year’s NFL Draft, using his football IQ to maximize his blocks and angles to great effect. He also moves well enough, too, making him a solid fit in the SF 49ers’ zone-style scheme.
Grabbing Humphrey would allow the Niners to move on from Richburg and, more importantly, get out from underneath his hefty contract next season while not sacrificing much by the way of talent in the middle of their O-line.