Drake Nugent-C-Michigan

Previously a starter and team captain at Stanford, Nugent transferred to Michigan this season and started every game for the Wolverines, showing zero issue in picking up a new offense and helped pave the way for a potent Michigan running attack. I really like this guy, he's the cliche undersized lineman that busts his ass, blocks through the whistle, plays with a nasty demeanor and just finds ways to keep his quarterback clean while being an enthusiastic blocker in the run game. Nothing impressive about him physically but he consistently brings the effort, does a good job of picking up and adjusting to blitzes and while his size is a reason he'll drop, its also one reason why he is able to play with great leverage against bigger linemen.

If this was the 90s, I think he'd be an ideal Alex Gibbs kind of player. Highly intelligent, agile and celebrated for his leadership on and off the field, I think he is absolutely worth a look in the mid to late rounds of the draft.

Having a young, quality center as a fixture on the OL would be a great to have but don't hold your breath hoping for one. The 49ers haven't drafted a single center under Shanny/Lynch, nor has Kyle ever had a rookie center on any of his offenses. Alex Mack talked about how much responsibility that role carries in Kyle's offense, and it seems that Kyle only wants a veteran at that spot.

Originally posted by Heroism:
Having a young, quality center as a fixture on the OL would be a great to have but don't hold your breath hoping for one. The 49ers haven't drafted a single center under Shanny/Lynch, nor has Kyle ever had a rookie center on any of his offenses. Alex Mack talked about how much responsibility that role carries in Kyle's offense, and it seems that Kyle only wants a veteran at that spot.

At some point you have to start developing centers in-house instead of relying on free agents. You don't draft someone like Nugent necessarily with the idea that they'd be your starter Year 1 but rather that they are someone to bring along to develop into a starter by their third season.

Yeah, if we miss out on the more highly touted prospect, don't mind this guy to sit behind and learn for a couple of years. This kid is smart and has some nastiness that loves football. I looked it up, same size as Jason Kelce that was a great value who got picked in Round 6. So I agree, draft and develop

Originally posted by Phoenix49ers:
At some point you have to start developing centers in-house instead of relying on free agents. You don't draft someone like Nugent necessarily with the idea that they'd be your starter Year 1 but rather that they are someone to bring along to develop into a starter by their third season.

I think the perfect opportunity was while while they had Alex Mack. That was a perfect time to groom a young player behind a future HOFer who was at the twilight of his career. Yet they still refused to address it despite having a bajillion draft picks every year. To make matters worse, I highly doubt Jake Brendel has caused them to reconsider their approach to the position. While Brendel isn't good by any means, he also hasn't been putrid enough to force them to alter their approach to addressing the position.

I agree that drafting a center would be a wise move. I'd love to have a young stud center to pair with Purdy for the next decade. Sadly, there's zero(literally zero) reason to believe that will happen. It's crazy that they haven't drafted a single center with the number of draft picks they've had.

I'd be satisfied with an all OL and DB draft, personally.

Originally posted by Heroism:

Originally posted by Phoenix49ers:
At some point you have to start developing centers in-house instead of relying on free agents. You don't draft someone like Nugent necessarily with the idea that they'd be your starter Year 1 but rather that they are someone to bring along to develop into a starter by their third season.

I think the perfect opportunity was while while they had Alex Mack. That was a perfect time to groom a young player behind a future HOFer who was at the twilight of his career. Yet they still refused to address it despite having a bajillion draft picks every year. To make matters worse, I highly doubt Jake Brendel has caused them to reconsider their approach to the position. While Brendel isn't good by any means, he also hasn't been putrid enough to force them to alter their approach to addressing the position.

I agree that drafting a center would be a wise move. I'd love to have a young stud center to pair with Purdy for the next decade. Sadly, there's zero(literally zero) reason to believe that will happen. It's crazy that they haven't drafted a single center with the number of draft picks they've had.

thats because there are never more than 2 centers a draft that are starter ready in a year and most of the time there is only 1 and they always go in first round or top of 2nd