San Francisco 49ers: 3 Draft targets in 2018 to make offense elite
The San Francisco 49ers have their quarterback in Jimmy Garoppolo, and now it’s time to use the 2018 NFL Draft to take the offense to elite levels.
San Francisco 49ers general manager John Lynch made a genius move when he traded a second-round pick to the New England Patriots for Jimmy Garoppolo right before the 2017 trade deadline. The hype train got started after he showed flashes of greatness while in a 49ers jersey.
Since becoming the starting quarterback, Garoppolo has completed 67 percent of his passes with seven touchdowns and five interceptions while leading the 49ers to a 5-0 record. Five games is a small sample size, but according to USA Today, it was one of historic proportions and enough for 49ers fans to start thinking Super Bowl in 2019.
The hype may be a bit ambitious, but it’s not impossible. We have seen teams turn things around quickly, and the 49ers have been eyewitnesses to it after facing the Rams in 2017. So, with a quarterback in place, the 49ers need to draft these three players to make their offense elite moving forward.
Courtland Sutton, WR, SMU
As well as the 49ers have been playing, they have been doing so without a true game changer at wide receiver. If there’s one thing that Garoppolo has shown, it’s that he seems to be able to make weapons around him better. With a head coach who’s an offensive genius in Kyle Shannahan, Jimmy G needs another piece around him to help him and the offense reach elite status.
They aren’t that far off, the 49ers finished the season ranked ninth in passing offense and 12th in total offense. Rookie tight end George Kittle finished second on the team in yards with 515 behind the speedster Marquise Goodwin, meaning a receiver with the skills of Courtland Sutton could bolster the receiving corps. I’ve already focused specifically on how special this guy is.
At 6-4, 216 pounds, the Mustang junior is arguably the most talented receiver in all of college football. There’s not much not to like about Sutton; he’s big, fast with great athleticism and has a catch radius that would make Calvin Johnson jealous. Put him on the outside in a Shanahan system, and be ready to watch a Rookie of the Year candidate as Garoppolo makes a case for MVP.
Nick Chubb, RB, Georgia
Unfortunately for both Carlos Hyde and San Francisco, the former Ohio State star never really lived up to the hype. The 49ers brass has a decision to make, but it’s likely one that Hyde will make for them.
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He’s a volume runner who has shown that splitting carries is not his thing, and history says coach Shanahan likes a dual-back system. The 49ers have an electric player in Georgia Sothern’s Matt Breida, so they just need a guy who can handle splitting time; enter Georgia’s, Nick Chubb.
Chubb is a senior who has done his fair share of splitting carries during his Bulldogs tenure, first with Todd Gurley and then again with Sony Michel. After an eye-popping freshman season where he amassed 1,500 yards and 14 touchdowns, Chubb tore his ACL in a gruesome manner after netting 8.0 yards per carry as a sophomore. However, he proved that he was an extraordinary specimen returning a year later, finishing his junior campaign with over 1,100 yards and with eight scores.
This season ,he looked closer to his old self and showed why he was and still is one of college football’s best running backs. At 225 pounds, Chubb runs with tenacity and power to get the tough yards, and his 6.0 yards per carry average proves that he can take it the distance. With Chubb and Breida, Shanahan can have a backfield reminiscent of the 2016 Atlanta Falcons with Tevin Coleman and Devonta Freeman.
KC McDermott, OL, Miami (FL)
The 49ers have Joe Staley as a staple at tackle and Trent Brown, who will be working his way back from an injury, opposite him, so the tackle spot is locked down. They also have Josuha Garnett battling back in an effort to live up to his first-round status. Luckily the offense ideally suits his skill-set. Still, they have to continue to add guys around their young quarterback, who many believe has the tools to be a franchise guy.
McDermott is one of those guys who played left tackle in college, but projects to play guard in the NFL. His versatility will add depth to the roster, but because of his quickness, strength and ability to run block, McDermott will make for a great guard in a zone-blocking scheme. In fact, according to SB Nation’s Matt Washington, McDermott’s play statistically ranks him as one of the better tackles entering the draft.
"According to Pro Football Focus’ metrics, McDermott comes in as the 18th ranked tackle in the country, the McDermott has allowed one sack, two QB hits, and five QB hurries on on 340 pass blocking snaps. McDermott’s 98.2 pass blocking efficiency is among one of the best for the tackle position looking ahead to the 2018 NFL Draft."
Next: 3 Players the Browns Need to Draft
Of course, the NFL isn’t all about offense, you have to have the men on the other side of the ball do their job. However, we’ve seen offenses carry defenses, and the way the 49ers are set up — they need to get these guys if they want to compete with the Rams and Seahawks.