San Francisco 49ers Rookies Forecast

By Charlie Campbell – @draftcampbell

Solid Starter

Fred Warner, LB, BYU – Round 3
A year ago, I selected Reuben Foster for this designation, and after a respectable rookie season, Foster looked like he was on his way to proving me true as a solid starter. However, Foster’s off-the-field problems have his career in jeopardy. Even if he avoids prison for his current predicament, he could be suspended and on thin ice regarding any more potential issues. With Foster’s career uncertain, the 49ers had to get more linebacker help, and Warner was a safe selection to be a starting caliber player in the NFL.

The 6-foot-3, 235-pound Warner has versatile size with enough athletic ability to develop into a starting three-down linebacker. He could play inside or outside linebacker. Thus even if Foster returns to the field, Warner could start next to him.

At BYU, Warner was not a world beater, but he was respectable player. As a senior, Warner finished with 87 tackles, nine tackles for a loss, one sack, five passes batted, one forced fumble and one interception. In 2016, he notched 86 tackles with 10.5 tackles for a loss and one sack. Warner was solid against the run and contributed against the pass. With his quality play, I think Warner could be a solid starter, but he will never be a star defender in the NFL.

2017: Reuben Foster, LB
2016: Joshua Garnett, G
2015: Jaquiski Tartt, S
2014: Marcus Martin, C
2013: Tank Carradine, DE

Most Likely To Bust

Dante Pettis, WR, Washington – Round 2
Pettis was one of the biggest reaches on the second day of the 2018 NFL Draft. The 49ers took him in Round 2, but I know other teams that him graded as a fifth-round pick. Thus, San Francisco probably easily have had him much lower. To make matters worse, the 49ers traded up in the second round to take Pettis. There were significantly better receivers available who were consensus second-round picks around the league, including Christian Kirk – Arizona Cardinals – and Anthony Miller – Chicago Bears -, who went after the 49ers took Pettis. Other receivers like James Washington – Pittsburgh Steelers – and D.J. Chark – Jacksonville Jaguars – also graded out higher than Pettis with most teams, and they went late in the second round. Thus, Pettis was a huge reach for San Francisco.

The best thing that Pettis brings to the table is punt return ability. He was a dynamic returner in college, setting the Pac-12’s all-time record for punts returned for touchdowns. In the NFL, he should be a nice returner, but even there the defenders are faster and Pettis is not overly fast or explosive. As a receiver, he was decent in 2017 with 62 receptions for 721 yards and seven touchdowns. The senior’s production, however, was down from the previous year when he had John Ross on the other side of the field.

Some team sources think Pettis lacks elusiveness, drops too many passes, and is just a guy. Of San Francisco’s early-round selections, I see bust potential with Pettis, and it wouldn’t surprise me at all if he is just a fourth or fifth receiver and decent special teams returner in the NFL.

2017: Solomon Thomas, DE
2016: Rashard Robinson, CB
2015: Eli Harold, OLB
2014: Chris Borland, ILB
2013: Eric Reid, S

Potential Boom Pick

Mike McGlinchey, OT, Notre Dame – Round 1
I think McGlinchey is a safe pick to be a good starting tackle in the NFL. Of the 49ers’ early-round selections, he also has the most potential to be a boom pick. McGlinchey was a good 3-year starter at Notre Dame, playing well at right tackle and left tackle for the Fighting Irish. Quickly in his pro career, McGlinchey should be a quality starter and, in time, grow into being a true asset on San Francisco’s offensive line.

As a run blocker, McGlinchey can create movement at the point of attack. He flashes heavy hands to push defenders out of their gaps and open holes for his back. McGlinchey has strength to start out his NFL career at right tackle and be a plus run blocker. Many NFL teams have right-handed rushing attacks, so putting a finesse tap-dancing college left tackle on the right side can be a detriment to the ground game. However, McGlinchey has the flexibility to play on the right side and be a contributor in the rushing offense.

In pass protection, McGlinchey looked like a natural at left tackle as a junior, and he only improved as a senior. McGlinchey possesses solid feet and quickness to get depth in his kick slide and cut off edge rushers. He also displays a nice ability to bend at the knee, and that in combination with his feet, keeps him from having to reach after edge rushers very often. McGlinchey displays nice recoverability and is able to keep pressures from becoming sacks.

McGlinchey has good enough feet, quickness, and athleticism to be a left tackle at the next level, but he isn’t elite in those areas. I think McGlinchey could be an elite right tackle and one of the top right tackles in the NFL if he stays there. In the short term, that’s where he will be for the 49ers, and he could be much improved by the time he replaces Joe Staley on the left side. McGlinchey has the most upside to be a boom pick from San Francisco’s 2018 draft class.

2017: Akhello Witherspoon, CB
2016: DeForest Buckner, DE
2015: Arik Armstead, DE
2014: Carlos Hyde, RB
2013: Marcus Lattimore, RB

Future Depth Player

Kentavius Street, DE, N.C. State – Round 4
Street could have been a second-day pick if it weren’t for a torn ACL during a pre-draft workout. He had a quality senior year across from Bradley Chubb and showed athletic upside to be better as he develops. The 49ers have used a lot of draft picks on defensive linemen and still could use one more player to finish off their defensive line. Street will probably miss his rookie year, but I think he could be a good third defensive end who contributes as a pass-rusher and run defender to rotate into the game. He may not ever be a difference-maker as a starter, but he should be a good depth player for San Francisco once he’s healthy.

2017: Joe Williams, RB
2016: Jeff Driskel, QB
2015: Mike Davis, RB
2014: Bruce Ellington, WR
2013: Vance McDonald, TE

Walt’s 2018 NFL Draft Grades:

9. Mike McGlinchey, OT, Notre Dame C Grade
I don’t know about this pick. The 49ers are ready to win now, so where is Mike McGlinchey going to play? San Francisco has two stellar tackles in Joe Staley and Trent Brown. McGlinchey gives them some great depth for sure, and a potential replacement for Staley down the road, but barring injuries to Staley or Brown, I don’t know how McGlinchey helps San Francisco win now.

Also, there are questions about whether or not McGlinchey can even play left tackle. Some believe McGlinchey would be better suited on the right side, and he’s not going to displace Brown.

44. Dante Pettis, WR, Washington D Grade
I had the 49ers selecting Dante Pettis – at pick No. 70. Had the 49ers remained at 59 and selected Pettis, I would’ve been fine with it, but there was no need to move up. With so many talented receivers on the board – Anthony Miller, James Washington, D.J. Chark, etc. – the value isn’t there to move up for Pettis. He fills a need – the 49ers tried to sign Allen Robinson, but failed – but the trade up for him was not necessary.

70. Fred Warner, LB, BYU A- Grade
Fred Warner is a rangy linebacker who should excel in coverage in the NFL. There were late rumblings that Warner could maybe sneak into the second round, so this is a nice value pick for the 49ers, who needed insurance in case Reuben Foster gets into more trouble.

95. Tarvarius Moore, S, Southern Miss B+ Grade
Tarvarius Moore was definitely a late riser, as I placed him in the third round of my 2018 NFL Mock Draft several weeks ago. He had an amazing pro day, running a 4.32 40 with an 11-1 broad jump. Moore is a very explosive athlete, but needs to get stronger. This is a high-upside pick that make sense, as the 49ers needed to replace Eric Reid.

128. Kentavius Street, DE, N.C. State D Grade
This is a bit of a surprise. Kentavius Street tore his ACL during pre-draft workouts and won’t be able to play until 2019. The 49ers are trying to win a Super Bowl now, so I don’t know about using a fourth-round choice on Street. I would’ve liked him much more in the sixth frame.

142. D.J. Reed, CB, Kansas State B+ Grade
I thought D.J. Reed would go in this range, so this pick makes sense, especially when considering that the 49ers needed depth at cornerback. Reed will bring some extra value as a return specialist.

184. Marcell Harris, S, Florida C Grade
Marcell Harris didn’t play last year because of a torn Achilles. I didn’t think he would be drafted, and I’m sure some teams didn’t either. But in the sixth round, the 49ers could’ve done worse.

223. Jullian Taylor, DT, Temple B+ Grade
Jullian Taylor created some buzz for himself after a strong pro day. This prompted many visits, including speculation that he would go in the late rounds. This pick makes sense for the 49ers, as they had to find some defensive line depth. Taylor has plenty of upside.

240. Richie James, WR, Middle Tennessee State B+ Grade
Richie James was an explosive player for Middle Tennessee State when he was healthy, but endured one too many injuries. James had the talent to go earlier than this, but perhaps teams were concerned with his medical. Either way, the 49ers are getting a nice bargain here in the middle of the seventh round.

2018 NFL Draft Team Grade: C . Follow Walter @walterfootball for updates.

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