49ers NFL Draft: Grading rookie class halfway through 2021
By Peter Panacy
49ers Round 5 Pick: Offensive Lineman Jaylon Moore
If anything, at least the Niners have found some success in Round 5 of the NFL Draft in recent years, and the 2021 class of fifth-round picks is looking to be another crop of modestly decent contributors.
Rookie lineman Jaylon Moore emerged as the primary swing-tackle candidate out of training camp and the preseason, getting his first start at the NFL level in Week 7 against the Colts when starting left tackle Trent Williams was sidelined with an ankle injury.
Now with 78 offensive snaps under his belt, there are signs Moore is turning into a quality depth piece, although his Pro Football Focus 59.9 overall grade suggests otherwise.
Still, Moore is one of the few players out of this class who carved out a niche role for himself right out of the gate, which is impressive enough. And he might be called upon for an increase in action, too, given the injury to Mike McGlinchey. This may prompt Kyle Shanahan to install Moore in at right tackle for the rest of 2021, giving a full analysis over the second half of the year to determine whether or not Moore is worthy of keeping around for the rest of the season and beyond.
Not bad, at least from a Round 5 investment’s perspective.