© Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports
SANTA CLARA — The 49ers selected Notre Dame tackle Mike McGlinchey with the No. 9 pick in the 2018 NFL Draft.
The move came as a surprise to many, with the 49ers returning two tackles firmly implanted as starters in Joe Staley and Trent Brown. But Brown is entering the final year of his deal, and McGlinchey adds depth. Staley has two years left on his deal and earned a bonus earlier this month.
Signing Jimmy Garoppolo was San Francisco’s top priority this offseason. Protecting him has become one of the next most important actions.
McGlinchey is as an athletic, mobile lineman who can handle powerful bull rushers. He is 6-foot-7, 291 pounds, fitting the mold of a Kyle Shanahan offensive lineman who can move into the second level. He combined with Notre Dame guard Quenton Nelson to form one of the most dominant offensive lines in the country.
The 49ers have bolstered their offensive line this offseason, adding guard Jonathan Cooper to compete alongside Laken Tomlinson and Joshua Garnett for the two starting spots. It remains to be seen how Shanahan plans to deploy McGlinchey, whether he could switch to guard, or whether he is Brown’s eventual successor.
This marks the first time in seven years San Francisco has drafted an offensive player.
