We’ve seen plenty of discussion surrounding where draft analysts and fans thought prospects would go, but not enough analysis on the players. We will never truly know where these players would have been picked.
The San Francisco Chronicle’s Eric Branch wrote a column where a current general manager said, “My guess would have been in the mid-40s,” when asked where De’Zhaun Stribling would go in the NFL Draft. The general manager said the 49ers could have probably traded back one more time, but added
Stribling was unlikely to make it to pick No. 58, “So if he was their guy, I don’t think it was too high.”
That’s not to say Stribling or any of the 49ers draft picks will pan out because a random GM said something. It’s to highlight that we don’t know the floors of these players.
Independent of where they were selected, which pick left you scratching your head the most?
Which 49ers’ draft pick did you think was the worst of this class?
My answer: When you go back and watch these prospects, the goal is to try to see what the 49ers saw. So when I watched Carver Willis, I focused on plays where there was a tight end to his side. After all, the 49ers see him as an interior lineman, so those reps gave you a better idea of what life would be like for Willis on the inside.
Maybe it’s because it was Ohio State, but there are plays ingrained into my brain where Willis is either getting forklifted by a freshman or easily moved by underclassmen. That’s right, a sixth-year senior is having trouble with teenagers at the point of attack.
In fairness, these aren’t your run-of-the-mill teenagers. They’ll be in the NFL at some point if they’re a Buckeye. But there were too many exposures when Willis was 1-on-1, and you could see his lack of length hurt him. Once defenders got into his chest, it was over.
Willis moves extraordinarily well. He pulled from left tackle to the other side of the formation to block the cornerback on one play. He also redirects easily and is aware when he’s uncovered in pass protection.
However, if this is who the team is hoping ends up as Jake Brendel’s replacement, or starts at left guard this season, Willis is going to have to figure out how to win and do so in a hurry. It’s why a redshirt year, going against the first-team defense on scout team, would serve Willis well from a developmental perspective.
Who is your answer? Scroll down below and let us know why you feel that way in the comments.
