Offensive Tackles
JoeStaley - It's crazy that Joe is entering his 13th year in the NFL. Joe has been the embodiment of 49ers football. He's not only played at a high level but he is also a team leader on and off the field is very likely to retire in the scarlet and gold. Joe although being 35 years old is still considered to be among the leagues best tackles and everytime we expect him to slow down he really doesn't. An elite run blocker and very good pass blocker, he is a reliable a blindside protector as there is. With that said he's closer to the end of his career than the beginning and i would argue tackle is going to be our number one need in next years draft. But either way let's enjoy greatness in action.
Skills: A
Performance: A
Potential: C+
Overall: A-
Mike McGlinchey - 2018 1st Round Pick. I remember a few rumblings when he was picked. It wasn't sexy and it was maybe a little too safe. But it was by far the right choice. McGlinchey was the best offensive lineman in that draft by some margin and it shows. He was thrown into an injury plagued offensive line with spotty guard play and he anchored it brilliantly. He is towering with his 6'8 295 pound frame but he uses all of it to crush opposing defenders in the run and while I think he can stand to work on his pass blocking technique he's proven himself pretty adequate in that area and I think he has the upside to be good. I think he is the heir apparent to Staley, once he retires. He has all the NFL requisites to be at least a foundational left tackle if not elite. But overall he was a very smart pick and should continue to develop in to an elite tackle on either side of the line.
Skills: B+
Performance: A-
Potential: A-
Overall A-
Shon Coleman - Entering his 4th season in the league Shon Coleman was kind of a surprise trade, but one I thought was pretty smart. Coleman has ideal NFL Tackle size and while he is a much better run blocker than pass blocker, his size makes him ideal swing tackle even better because he has a season of starting experience ( granted for a pretty bad Browns team). He could also be in contention for a starting guard spot which is not outside the realm of possibility if he plays well enough.
Skills: C+
Performance: C+
Potential: B-
Overall C+
Justin Skule - 2019 NFL 6th Round draft pick. Skule has value in the draft not so much for his physical gifts but because he has played all over the offensive line.. He has experience at guard and tackle and there is a chance he makes the 53 man roster off the strength of that though it may be better stash him on the practice squad. I think Skule does not really have a body yet for to modern NFL. He too much weight in his gut and he needs to strengthen his legs and core, if he does this he could become a low cost reserve lineman ala a poor man's Adam Snyder
Skills: C-
Performance: C-
Potential: D
Overall D+
Christian DiLauro - 2018 UDFA from the Cleveland Browns practice squad. He's an interesting prospect. Unlike some of other stiffs on the team. He may actually be more of a potential system fit than any of these guys. In a zone blocking scheme technique matters a lot because you're blocking in the vicinity of where the play is going and not maintaining a specitfic gap assignment or nearest man, As such the ability to engage and stay square is even more important. DiLauro is talented at that but being a limited athlete, he is a liability in blocking in space and realistically, has his best chance kicking inside to guard, where it's less of a responsibility, if we wants a chance to stay in the NFL.
Skills: C-
Performance: D
Potential: D
Overall: D
Unit Analysis - As long as Joe and Mike stay healthy we are set at the bookends. It still remains to be seen if trading Trent Brown to the Pats was a wise move, but it's neither here or there at this point, he went to Foxboro, got a ring and if I'm not mistaken is the highest paid left tackle and in the league and rightfully so. But if one of them get's hurt Shon Coleman is a considerable downgrade and if for some reason he goes down we are basically stuck with developmental guys, I will stay positive due to the overall sturdiness of our starters but next year, we need to address this position more aggressively, We have the money we need to bring in a grizzled veteran and/or draft a tackle with our 1st/2nd picks.
Unit Grade: B+