Five tackles 49ers could target in draft if Williams leaves
•
Share
If the 49ers are unable to re-sign Trent Williams to a multi-year deal this offseason, they could look at another option and draft a left tackle in the 2021 NFL Draft.While a rookie tackle will not have the experience or the athletic ability of Williams, they would be decidedly more affordable. The 2020 season was proof that a rookie tackle can step in and immediately have a positive impact. But it is not a guarantee.Of the five tackles drafted in the top 20 of the 2020 draft, three had an immediate positive impact while playing nearly their entire rookie season. Cleveland Browns left tackle Jedrick Wills (10th overall pick), New York Jets LT Mehki Becton (No. 11) and Tampa Bay Buccaneers RT Tristan Wirfs (No. 13) all proved themselves to be NFL ready in their inaugural campaign.Two others, New York Giants LT Andrew Thomas (No. 4) and Miami Dolphins LT Austin Jackson (No. 18) did not transition as well in their rookie season. Without rookie minicamps, and with a limited offseason of hands-on work, the learning curve was steep. While neither has yet to be proven a bust, they have a lot of work ahead of them to ensure their success going forward.While the 2021 draft is not as rich in top-flight tackles as last year, there are a few players who clearly show some promise.Here are five prospects that the 49ers could consider in the upcoming NFL Draft.
The 49ers have the 12th selection in the draft and Sewell is projected as a top-five pick. Still, on draft day, anything can happen, thus the dominant left tackle should not be ruled out as an option.
Sewell was nearly as tall as fellow Oregon standout DeForest Buckner and 30 pounds heavier when he was only 19. The offensive lineman opted out of the 2020 season but did enough in his sophomore season to be projected to be an immediate starter in the NFL.
In 2019, Sewell was not only voted a consensus All-American but was also the winner of the Outland Trophy, which is awarded to the best college football interior lineman by the Football Writers Association of America.
Game film of Sewell shows his utter brute strength overpowering whoever is in front of him while also having the agility to get outside. While he only started for a season and a half for the Ducks, many drafts pundits believe he has the highest ceiling.
Pro Football Focus has Sewell projected as the No. 4 overall pick of the draft after being graded the top tackle of the 2019 college season.
NFL Analyst Daniel Jeremiah on Sewell:
"Sewell has a huge frame, quick feet and strong hands. He has the foot quickness to kick out and cover up speed rushers in the passing game. His hands can get too wide at times, which allows defenders to get underneath him. Sewell isn't the most polished blocker in this class, but he does offer the most upside."
Slater is another prospect who opted out of the 2020 college season that is projected as an early first-round pick. Pro Football Focus graded the Northwestern lineman as the eighth-best tackle of 2019. While he may be slightly undersized to play on the outside, it is believed he has the athleticism to succeed.
In his three seasons with the Wildcats, Slater played two at right tackle and his third on the left side. In his 787 snaps protecting the blindside during the 2019 season, the Texas native allowed zero sacks, one quarterback hit and only five hurries.
Those stats become even more impressive when you take into account that they include Slater facing the No. 2 overall selection of the 2020 NFL Draft, Chase Young, when Northwestern hosted Ohio State.
If the 49ers do re-sign Williams to long-term deal, Slater still would be very valuable as a guard.
Jeremiah on Slater:
"Slater is a slightly undersized tackle prospect. He plays with outstanding knee bend, foot quickness and balance. He explodes out of his stance in the passing game and does an excellent job of re-working his hands to maintain inside position. Slater gives a little ground versus power before dropping his weight and anchoring late.
"In the run game, he plays with quickness and urgency when working up to the second level. He takes great angles and is one of the best I've seen when it comes to cutting off linebackers. He doesn't have elite power to knock back defenders over his nose, but he does a good job of running his feet and staying attached."
3/5
School: Virginia Tech Height: 6-foot-5 Weight: 314 pounds
Darrisaw gained the most ground in the draft during the 2020 season. The Hokie tackle allowed only six quarterback hurries and no sacks, and Pro Football Focus graded Darrisaw as the No. 2 tackle of the college football season.
In his three seasons at Virginia Tech, Darrisaw started in all 34 games he appeared. He helped the Hokies average over 240 yards on the ground per game and 440 yards of total offense.
Darrisaw has the length and size to be an NFL left tackle and has shown he can be coached by improving in each season. Plus, he has been as effective in pass protection as he has in the run game.
Jeremiah’s latest mock draft had Darrisaw projected as the No. 19 pick of the NFL Draft while PFF sees him going earlier at No. 15.
PFF on Darrisaw:
"The sheer number of positively graded run blocks he generated is stunning. He’s uniquely capable of moving men against their will. Just ask North Carolina linebacker Chazz Surratt, who ended up 30 yards downfield with Darrisaw on one play. While he’s not the most fleet of foot, you aren’t going through the Virginia Tech left tackle."
Jeremiah on Darrisaw:
"Darrisaw was a solid, reliable starter at left tackle during his career with the Hokies. He plays with excellent awareness. He uses his upper-body strength to torque and turn defenders in the run game. He takes good angles to the second level, where he's able to position and wall off linebackers. He will have some trouble adjusting in space because of his average change-of-direction skills. I view Darrisaw as a player who'll be starting at right tackle very early in his NFL career."
4/5
School: Oklahoma State Height: 6-foot-6 Weight: 320 pounds
Jenkins was graded the No. 3 tackle by PFF right behind Darrisaw. The Oklahoma state tackle only allowed four pressures in 211 pass blocking reps in 2020. He helped Oklahoma State average over 427 yards of offense per game, including 239 in the air.
Jenkins has played most of his college career at on the right side but that does not mean he is off the table for the 49ers. He still played 490 snaps on the left side throughout his college career in addition to over 2,000 snaps on the right.
At his size, Jenkins was a force to be reckoned with for the edge rushers he faced even though Big 12 did not offer the highest competition for the Cowboy. While Jenkins is powerful, Kyle Shanahan relies on his linemen to be both agile and fast enough to get to second level in the run game. Jenkins’ 93.6 run blocking grade should be an indication that he is fully capable.
PFF has Jenkins projected as the No. 26 pick of the NFL Draft while Jeremiah’s latest mock drafts has him going at No. 29.
Jeremiah on Jenkins:
"Jenkins is a big, powerful right tackle. He is very quick out of his stance in the passing game and he can cover ground in a hurry. He has no issues kicking out to cover up speed rushers. However, he does have some issues when he has to quickly redirect inside, which leads to some pressures allowed.
"He has the quickness to cut off on the back side and he's very efficient climbing to the second level. Overall, Jenkins has some balance issues to correct, but I love his size, quickness and nastiness. I view him as a quality NFL starter at right tackle."
5/5
School: USC Height: 6-foot-4 Weight: 315 pounds
Vera-Tucker is a tweener that has spent time at both guard and tackle. In 2020, the Trojan lineman allowed only two pressures/sacks in five games before surrendering six total pressures, two quarterback sacks, two hits and two hurries in the Pac-12 Championship game against Oregon.
Vera-Tucker played 144 snaps at right guard in 2019, and 951 at left guard in 2019 before holding down USC’s blindside for 476 snaps. Jeremiah has the versatile lineman projected at No. 16 while PFF has him near the end of the first round at No. 30.
There are conflicting predictions of where Vera-Tucker will line up once he reaches the NFL but he has the ability to do it all. As the Trojans’ left guard in 2019, he only allowed seven pressures (one sack, six hurries) through 13 games.
ESPN analyst Mel Kiper on Vera-Tucker:
"He played guard before moving to left tackle for USC last season. He impressed there and rocketed up draft boards. I think he’ll probably stick at tackle in the NFL."
Jeremiah on Vera-Tucker:
"Vera-Tucker is one of the safest players in this draft class. He plays with excellent strength, balance and awareness in pass protection. He will underset at times, allowing defenders on his edge, but he is quick to recover and run them around the pocket.
"He takes excellent angles to the second level and has a good feel on combo blocks. He isn't the most dynamic athlete, but he's always under control and rarely in bad position. Overall, I think he has a chance to stick at tackle, but he's ideally suited to play guard. He is ready to start on Day 1."