2021 NFL Draft: 5 Senior Bowl prospects climbing up SF 49ers radar
By Peter Panacy
No. 3: Offensive Guard Quinn Meinerz, Wisconsin-Whitewater
The 2021 NFL Draft is awfully deep along the defensive line, and the SF 49ers would be wise to use at least one pick to grab a potential starter, especially with regards to what could happen with left tackle Trent Williams in free agency.
But the interior could use some upgrades and depth, too, and few offensive linemen from the Senior Bowl saw as big a climb in draft-stock value than Wisconsin-Whitewater’s Quinn Meinerz.
Meinerz, 6-foot-3 and 320 pounds, hails from a small-school program but didn’t play like a small-school prospect during workouts.
Unfortunately, Meinerz suffered a broken hand during practices, and those efforts were impressive enough. But what’s crazy is he was still lobbying to play in the game despite the injury:
Fascinating showdown going in Mobile: UW-Whitewater O-lineman Quinn Meinerz is currently pleading with Senior Bowl National team coach Brian Flores. An impassioned debate. Meinerz, who broke his hand snapping, is fighting to play in the game. Unreal.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) January 29, 2021
Yet the Niners need some interior reinforcements. And while Meinerz didn’t push himself up into day-two consideration, it’s likely he winds up being an early day-three pick, perhaps climbing from somewhere around the seventh round into as early as Round 4 with his strong week of practice.
Especially if San Francisco decides to capitalize on his versatility to move to center — a position with plenty of question marks in 2021.