San Francisco 49ers: Day 2 offensive line fits in 2018 NFL Draft

The offensive line is not the San Francisco 49ers’ biggest need, but it should still be high up their list. We look at five players who make sense on day two.

It is easy to have a heated debate over what the San Francisco 49ers‘ biggest need is, such are the number of holes on the roster. The offensive line, despite the signings of center Weston Richburg and guard Jonathan Cooper, could be seen as the top need for a team low on interior line talent.

However, quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo has excelled under pressure and the 49ers desperately need help at edge rusher and could use assistance at linebacker amid Reuben Foster’s legal troubles. Therefore, the O-line may be something that has to wait until day two.

Thankfully the 49ers have three picks on day two, when there should still be plenty of options who have the athletic ability to fit the zone-blocking scheme they run.

Here we look at five offensive linemen they should consider in rounds two and three.

Austin Corbett – Nevada

Boasting both finesse and ferocious attitude, Corbett, who played left tackle for Nevada, is arguably the protoypical guard for the zone-blocking scheme. Likely too lightweight to be considered for power and gap schemes or to play on an island at tackle at 6-4  and 306 pounds, Corbett possesses a skill set that should excite the 49ers.

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He possesses the required proclivity in space and at the second level, where he uses matchups with smaller defenders as an opportunity to embarrass opponents. Corbett demonstrates power and leg drive as a run blocker and, where possible, will fling defenders to the ground with utter disdain.

His mean streak is complemented by the neat footwork he uses to stay square in pass protection, using a decent punch to control reps against edge rushers.

Short-armed and often overly passive with his hand usage, Corbett struggles to recover when he is beaten to the punch and has also had issues making effective contact with his target on second-level blocks.

Corbett is raw, but if his potential can be harnessed, he has every chance of sticking in the league as a long-term starter.