10 prospects 49ers should avoid selecting in 2021 NFL Draft
By Peter Panacy
Landon Dickerson. 9. player. 829. . Center. Crimson Tide
No. 9 49ers Prospect to Avoid: Center Landon Dickerson
San Francisco needs to take advantage of what’s going to be a deep NFL Draft class for offensive linemen. Particularly with left tackle Trent Williams hitting free agency and center Weston Richburg both a massive injury concern and a possible cap casualty this offseason.
There are reasons why head coach Kyle Shanahan won’t want a rookie to take over at center in 2021, namely because of the complexity of his scheme and the importance of the position in his offense.
But even if there was a first-year player worth targeting, Alabama center Landon Dickerson shouldn’t be it.
Fans need no introduction to the injuries that all but derailed the 49ers’ chances in 2020. Both Kyle Shanahan and John Lynch have also gone on record saying looking at players’ injury histories will influence their roster decisions going forward, too.
Unfortunately, Dickerson’s injury history is something that should easily cross him off the Niners’ radar.
Dickerson, both at Florida State and Alabama, has dealt with his share of injury setbacks. In 2016, he tore his ACL, then suffered ankle injuries in 2017 and 2018. He’s now dealing with a knee injury stemming from December of last year.
Even if it’s with a second- or third-round pick, San Francisco needs to avoid taking a risk on yet another injury setback for Dickerson.