2023 mock NFL Draft 3.0: Final 11th-hour edition (with trades)
player. 861. . Offensive Tackle . Cougars . Blake Freeland. 80
On the clock: Pick No. 80: San Francisco 49ers (via Pittsburgh) – Blake Freeland, Offensive Tackle, BYU
Mock Draft 1.0 – N/A
Mock Draft 2.0 – N/A
The San Francisco 49ers have 11 draft picks and absolutely no need for all of them. The odds are there’s going to be more than one trade-up for the team, and it makes sense for them to go for someone who can push right tackle Colton McKivitz.
Blake Freeland has the prototypical size to be a left tackle at 6-foot-8 and 305 pounds. He could serve as a stopgap at right tackle if needed, with a long-term view to be the starter at either position as need might dictate.
Freeland used to be on the Day 2/Day 3 bubble, but he seems more likely to be on the Day 2 side of things now.
He’s a stout run blocker which bodes as a good fit for a Niners team that enforces the run more than any other team in the NFL.
Freeland is a bit raw and will need to improve his footwork in order to improve as a pass protector. He might not be ready to play in 2023, but he can develop for the 49ers and start in the future similarly to other offensive line personnel for the 49ers.