2024 Draft Class: OL

Originally posted by OnTheClock:
Our interior was an embarrassment. How do you allow Chris Jones to go completely unblocked? I mean WTF?

I have about 10 IOL circled that I want. If we don't get at least 2, I'm going lose my f***in' mind.

I'm all in for Frazier, Haynes or Beebe. I think any one of those would represent a major upgrade to the interior OL and are well balanced between pass and run blocking abilities along with high football IQ and awareness. And some meanness, no more Care Bears, some guys that block all the way through the whistle and are looking to whoop ass.

@Phoenix, right now this is my list (this is not in any specific order):

Zach Frazier, WVU
Jackson Powers-Johnson, Oregon
Sedrick Van Prann, Georgia (I do think he's a little overrated and would only target if he fell a bit)
Drake Nugent, Michigan
Christian Haynes, Uconn
Kiran Amegadjie, Yale
Christian Mahogany, Boston College
Dylan McMahon, NC State
Graham Barton, Duke (C only)
Layden Robinson, Texas A&M

Check out the bolded. Extremely strong base. Look at the rest of the OL getting pushed upfield while Robinson stays up and his defender generally is the farthest from the QB. 6-3 311 with 33.5" arms. Dude is sturdy and has good length for an OG. I like him in the mid 4th-6th.

Do y'all think we can find a new Center and RT in rounds 1 and 2 or 3? Probably need to draft way more but I am thinking just starters.

Originally posted by Cisco0623:

Do y'all think we can find a new Center and RT in rounds 1 and 2 or 3? Probably need to draft way more but I am thinking just starters.

There should be plenty available in that range, and even beyond. Best IOL class I've seen in quite some time TBH. Pure OGs and plenty OTs who could convert to OG IMO.

Originally posted by OnTheClock:

Originally posted by Cisco0623:
Do y'all think we can find a new Center and RT in rounds 1 and 2 or 3? Probably need to draft way more but I am thinking just starters.

There should be plenty available in that range, and even beyond. Best IOL class I've seen in quite some time TBH. Pure OGs and plenty OTs who could convert to OG IMO.

If we wanted to, I think we could find - if talent translates from paper to field - a new center, a new RG, a new RT and a future LT all with our first 4 picks

Originally posted by adrianlesnar:

Originally posted by OnTheClock:

Originally posted by Cisco0623:
Do y'all think we can find a new Center and RT in rounds 1 and 2 or 3? Probably need to draft way more but I am thinking just starters.

There should be plenty available in that range, and even beyond. Best IOL class I've seen in quite some time TBH. Pure OGs and plenty OTs who could convert to OG IMO.

If we wanted to, I think we could find - if talent translates from paper to field - a new center, a new RG, a new RT and a future LT all with our first 4 picks

This is music to my ears. Snag the center in the 1st, and then take two tackles in the 2- and 3rd. Worst case is the tackle can be a guard. We have comp in the 3rd as well that we can use for CB2 or DT as well or keep plugging at the o line. The problem is Kyle usually never lets rookies learn by fire so he may not start them right away.....

Originally posted by OnTheClock:
There should be plenty available in that range, and even beyond. Best IOL class I've seen in quite some time TBH. Pure OGs and plenty OTs who could convert to OG IMO.

They absolutely should be able to come away from the draft with at least one new starter with Pro Bowl upside and a couple guys that can be developed into starters in a year or two.

Either take a center early, and then a guard and tackle to develop

Or go guard early and get a tackle and center to develop later

A lot of mock drafts also have the 49ers taking Mims, I'm not particularly crazy about that one but the upside with him is undeniable. I just don't think he's a starter Year 1.

Originally posted by Phoenix49ers:

Originally posted by OnTheClock:

There should be plenty available in that range, and even beyond. Best IOL class I've seen in quite some time TBH. Pure OGs and plenty OTs who could convert to OG IMO.

They absolutely should be able to come away from the draft with at least one new starter with Pro Bowl upside and a couple guys that can be developed into starters in a year or two.

Either take a center early, and then a guard and tackle to develop

Or go guard early and get a tackle and center to develop later

A lot of mock drafts also have the 49ers taking Mims, I'm not particularly crazy about that one but the upside with him is undeniable. I just don't think he's a starter Year 1.

I am not a huge fan of unpolished guys at OL. They simply have a really bad track record of working out IMO. Those guys don't seem to find success until multiple teams later if they ever do, when/if they realize they can't get by on raw ability anymore.

I want film junkies like Mahogany. Guys that want to be great and have a foundation of strong technical ability already to build off of.

Originally posted by OnTheClock:
I am not a huge fan of unpolished guys at OL. They simply have a really bad track record of working out IMO. Those guys don't seem to find success until multiple teams later if they ever do, when/if they realize they can't get by on raw ability anymore.

Me neither. Mims has all the tools but he's incredibly raw and there's some injury questions too. I'd prefer if they went with someone that is less of a gamble.

He is impressive though.

Originally posted by Phoenix49ers:

Originally posted by OnTheClock:

I am not a huge fan of unpolished guys at OL. They simply have a really bad track record of working out IMO. Those guys don't seem to find success until multiple teams later if they ever do, when/if they realize they can't get by on raw ability anymore.

Me neither. Mims has all the tools but he's incredibly raw and there's some injury questions too. I'd prefer if they went with someone that is less of a gamble.

He is impressive though.

Georgia OT Amarius Mims(#73) with a road grading run-blocking rep. He is extremely raw in pass protection but has ideal traits for a tackle and will probably go in the top-25. pic.twitter.com/RVs5paNF7f

— Tanner James (@tjdissect) February 10, 2024

Despite an overall lack of experience, Amarius Mims is still a first-round prospect because of his athletic profile and his tape against OSU in the 2022 CFB playoffs.

Ability to anchor, grip strength, foot quickness and redirection skills all on display. The 2H was crazy. pic.twitter.com/lBHipcWmSJ

— Derrick (@Steelers_DB) February 13, 2024

Georgia RT Amarius Mims showing off his athleticism and targeting system out in space.

Line em up… knock 'em down…. pic.twitter.com/B5oizLTivi

— Derrick (@Steelers_DB) February 13, 2024

You can certainly see the tools.. Man bottom line is we better be real f*ing certain we've got the right, long term guy when we make that pick. We need difference makers NOW.

Obviously a better DC will help, AA and Hargrave healthy will help. We need to get someone good enough across from Bosa.

On offense, we only need one thing: OL replacements.

Originally posted by OnTheClock:
There should be plenty available in that range, and even beyond. Best IOL class I've seen in quite some time TBH. Pure OGs and plenty OTs who could convert to OG IMO.

Meh I disagree. Some good centers but the guards aren't good. Need a LOT of the tackles to move to guard to have quality ones.

Originally posted by adrianlesnar:
If we wanted to, I think we could find - if talent translates from paper to field - a new center, a new RG, a new RT and a future LT all with our first 4 picks

And continue to have Ambry Thomas start? Have no replacement for whatever WR we can't keep?

They can't be myopic with the draft. Need to address things across board.

Originally posted by 9ers4eva:
Meh I disagree. Some good centers but the guards aren't good. Need a LOT of the tackles to move to guard to have quality ones.

Guard class is good where it needs to be for the 49ers. Haynes, Beebe, Barton, Mahogany and Fautanu, at least a couple of those should be available for the 49ers to choose from.

Originally posted by 9ers4eva:

Originally posted by adrianlesnar:
If we wanted to, I think we could find - if talent translates from paper to field - a new center, a new RG, a new RT and a future LT all with our first 4 picks

And continue to have Ambry Thomas start? Have no replacement for whatever WR we can't keep?

They can't be myopic with the draft. Need to address things across board.

I wasn't advocating for it, I was answering a question, trying to highlight the quality of OL prospects available in the top 100 picks. That said, I'd definitely draft 4 linemen this draft if certain players fell, 3 in our top 4 picks.

RE: Mims. There's no denying he's inexperienced, but I dont think he's raw or overly technically deficient. He's got mirroring ability, and he can move bodies in the run game. He anticipates, picks up and passes off stunts better than many with more playing time and experience than him. He maintains position, alert vs counters. That'll play from day 1. Injuries are my largest concern with him. Compare that with Guyton who has enormous upside, but is raw in his technique to where he ducks his head into contact and lunges around all over the field and doesn't dominate the less gifted athletes lined up across from him like his tools suggest he should. I hope we have a chance at one of Powers-Johnson, Mims or Fautanu. I'm probably going a different position if them and the other usual suspects are already off the board.

Originally posted by adrianlesnar:

Originally posted by 9ers4eva:

Originally posted by adrianlesnar:
If we wanted to, I think we could find - if talent translates from paper to field - a new center, a new RG, a new RT and a future LT all with our first 4 picks

And continue to have Ambry Thomas start? Have no replacement for whatever WR we can't keep?

They can't be myopic with the draft. Need to address things across board.

I wasn't advocating for it, I was answering a question, trying to highlight the quality of OL prospects available in the top 100 picks. That said, I'd definitely draft 4 linemen this draft if certain players fell, 3 in our top 4 picks.

RE: Mims. There's no denying he's inexperienced, but I dont think he's raw or overly technically deficient. He's got mirroring ability, and he can move bodies in the run game. He anticipates, picks up and passes off stunts better than many with more playing time and experience than him. He maintains position, alert vs counters. That'll play from day 1. Injuries are my largest concern with him. Compare that with Guyton who has enormous upside, but is raw in his technique to where he ducks his head into contact and lunges around all over the field and doesn't dominate the less gifted athletes lined up across from him like his tools suggest he should. I hope we have a chance at one of Powers-Johnson, Mims or Fautanu. I'm probably going a different position if them and the other usual suspects are already off the board.

Agree with drafting at least 4 OL prospects. One or 2 of them should be able to stick and play. Then a TE, couple DB's and a RB that can take a pounding and not be hurt every game.