5 players 49ers unwisely passed on in 2022 NFL Draft
By Peter Panacy
No. 4 player 49ers should have drafted: OL Logan Bruss, Wisconsin
True, the Niners spent two day-three draft picks on offensive linemen, grabbing UTSA’s Spencer Burford and Fordham’s Nick Zakelj in Rounds 4 and 6, respectively.
Both players have tackle/guard flexibility, which might help alleviate some of San Francisco’s depth concerns there heading into training camp. However, one of those two may be asked to start right away if center Alex Mack retires and the 49ers are forced to insert right guard Daniel Brunskill into Mack’s stead.
Wisconsin has been churning out plug-and-play linemen for years now, and the versatile Logan Bruss could have easily fit the need the Niners had for a day-one starter.
A perfect zone-style fit for head coach Kyle Shanahan, Bruss was right there for the taking at No. 93 overall, and fans surely would have reacted more favorably than San Francisco’s eventual pick, LSU running back Tyrion Davis-Price.
But the bigger advantage would have been the 49ers stealing Bruss away from the Super Bowl-champion Los Angeles Rams, who needed O-line help and ended up grabbing Bruss one pick before the Niners were to select again in Round 3.
Bruss should end up being a good player. Too bad it’ll be for one of San Francisco’s chief rivals.