San Francisco 49ers 2018 Draft Class Review

With the 2018 NFL Draft behind us, it’s time to begin the review process on how each team stacks up with the selections they’ve made. As the 49ers look to rebuild their squad around the young up and coming potential star in Jimmy Garoppolo, San Francisco had quite a haul securing nine selections in this year’s draft. Let’s review… 

San Francisco 49ers 2018 Draft Class Review:

Round 1 – Pick 9 (9)

Mike McQlinchey (OL)

Understanding the need to protect their franchise quarterback, it was a clear no brainer to select potentially the best tackle in this draft class. Mike is a behemoth of a man standing tall at 6’8” weighing 309 pounds, quite a bookend to have on your offensive line. Projected to go later in the first round, the 49ers chose to buck that thought and pulled him off the board with their ninth overall selection.

Forming a line Notre Dame which saw him team up with Quenton Nelson might have lifted McQlinchey draft stock, but there’s no question he can become a quality player in the NFL. Having above average athletic ability allows the big man to take advantage of quick moving rush ends coming his way. Some scouts knock his lack of weight and blame that for his inability to remain a consistent blocker getting cooked at times looking overwhelmed.

ADF believes if Mike can add more weight to his frame and improve his technique with solid coaching he could easily man the left tackle position covering the blind side for Jimmy Garoppolo. Kyle Shanahan fully understands the importance of solidifying the offensive line to get his offense to work.     

ADF Prediction: Solid NFL starter.

Round 2 – Pick 12 (44)

Dante Pettis (WR)

Understanding that adding weapons to this offense will go a long way in the success this team will have. Dante Pettis is an interesting player that came into this draft with both his supporters and naysayers questioning what type of player he could become. Having good size but lacking weight might be a detriment in his first season in the NFL. Dante’s tape clearly shows times where he was controlled by defensive backs providing more proof he will have to up his strength in the weight room.

ADF believes that Pettis has good speed for the next level, where in his days in Washington he was able to produce a sub 4.4 40 time. While never topping 65 receptions in his college career, Dante was a touchdown machine racking up 22 scores in his junior and senior seasons. While most had him pegged to go into the third round and beyond, the 49ers took no chance to secure his services. He will have a role in the Shanahan offense.  

ADF Prediction: Good potential.

Round 3 – Pick 6 (70)

Fred Warner (LB)

Fred Warner is one of those players that some teams covet with great interest for his extreme versatility. Primarily used as a linebacker, Warner was able to line up covering receivers one on one in the slot with some success. His skillset would of course favor rushing the quarterback with his fantastic size and speed off the edge, showing great ability in generating tackles for loss quite frequently in college. It’s not a shock the 49ers chose Warner, as the NFL is moving in the direction to gain more hybrid type of players to have the ability to move them all over the formation confusing the opposition. While his role won’t be clear from day one, he too should have a place on this club even if only in sub-packages.  

ADF Prediction: Decent upside.  

Round 3 – Pick 31 (95)

Tarvarius Moore (DB)

Needing to replace the departed Eric Reid (free agency), and continuing to improve a defense that wasn’t anything to write home about last season, this pick is looking like a slam dunk late in the third round. Moore is an exceptional talent that has all the tools in the right places. Standing 6’2” tall weighing in at 190 pounds and almost cracking the 4.3 40 time mark only confirms the great potential seen from the 49ers brain trust.

If Moore is able to put on another ten pounds while keeping his great speed, we could be witness to a player that will make plays all over the field. ADF does have some concerns that with any athletic freak such as Moore, the reliance on his ability (mentally), could leave him taking too many chances on the field leaving himself exposed. Moore will trust his recovery speed to bail him out of tough situations, but at the next level, teams will make him pay early and often if not corrected. Still, ADF loves this pick as his playmaking ability jumps off the tape.      

ADF Prediction: High upside, potential day one starter.

Round 4 – Pick 28 (128)

Kentavius Street (DE)

A large concern coming off last season was the 49ers inability to get to the quarterback with regularity. Addressing that concern in the fourth round, San Francisco chose the powerful defensive end from N.C. State in Kentavius Street. While no one will question the strength and power of this man, his speed and athletic ability to consistently get in the backfield may leave something to be desired. Street should garner attention when on the field but will be more of a depth player to start off his career.  

ADF Prediction: Rotational pass rusher.

Round 5 – Pick 5 (142)

D.J. Reed (DB)

Coming in at 5’9” tall, this pick screams nickel defensive back right out of the gates. ADF isn’t overly impressed with the lack of speed coming from a man of his size (4.51 40 time), but Reed seems to be a solid football player. While D.J. might find it difficult to get playing time on the defense as a true starter, he will double down on special teams with his good return ability. Shanahan is all about playmakers and Reed could be one returning kicks.    

Round 6 – Pick 10 (184)

Marcell Harris (DB)

Continuing the trend in drafting more defensive talent to shore up a subpar unit, the 49ers look to add more depth to their squad and may have achieved that with this pick. Harris is a big man that could easily find his way on special teams to start his career while proving his big hitting ability. His tumble down the draft was all in part to his senior season being lost to an injury. He has ability and will be given a chance to prove it in the NFL.   

Round 7 – Pick 5 (223)

Julian Taylor (DT)

As the draft entered the final round, the 49ers again continued to add players for depth purposes to help the defensive side of the ball. The appeal with Taylor is his impressive size and his good showing on test days providing him the opportunity to at least show what he can do coming into camp. The 49ers have a good defensive front and Taylor might be hard pressed to crack the roster.   

Round 7 – Pick 22 (240)

Richie James (WR)

Taking a flyer with their last selection in the 2018 draft, the 49ers selected another speedy receiver in Richie James. James dominated in his freshmen and sophomore campaigns racking up a whopping 212 receptions, 2959 yards, and 20 touchdowns, very impressive even though he played for a smaller school. His junior season was lost to injury which pushed his draft value down on most team boards, and the 49ers might have scored on this one. ADF is very intrigued with James in this offense as he could find his way to manning slot duties with his reliable hands and good speed.    

2018 Undrafted Free Agent Signings

Jamar McGloster, OL, Syracuse

Alan Knott, C, South Carolina

Ross Dwelley, TE, San Diego

Niles Scott, DT, Frostburg State

Steven Dunbar, WR, Houston

Jack Henegan, QB, Dartmouth

Terrell Williams, DB, Houston

Corey Smith, DB, Georgia Tech

Tarvarus McFadden, DB, Florida State

Emmanuel Mosely, DB, Tennessee

Najee Toran, OL, UCLA