2020 NFL Mock Draft: San Francisco 49ers select an offensive tackle

Andrew Thomas, OT, Georgia

Andrew Thomas grades very well in run protection and slightly above average in pass protection. He played both LT and RT in college and blocked for successful RBs Nick Chubb, Sony Michel and D’Andre Swift. This pick is right up the 49ers’ alley. The team thrives on their running game and their run protection. They rank 26th in the league in Team Pass Block Win Rate (which grades how offensive lines can hold protection longer than 2.5 seconds), while playing 12 of 16 games against teams with a Pass Rush Win Rate inside the top 16. In addition to that, Joe Staley missed a good portion of the season. They averaged 148 rushing yards a game in his absence, though inflated by a 275 yard game against lowly Cleveland and 232 against lowly Carolina (30th and 29th respectively in rush yards allowed per game). Without those games, they averaged over 117 YPG rushing.

Thomas is good enough to start Day 1, but with his pass blocking not yet up to NFL speed, spending a year behind Joe Staley and Mike McGlinchey would do wonders for him. He can be mentored to take over the way Eagles OT Andre Dillard was mentored by Jason Peters. Gaining that experience to help with his pass protection and working with an NFL O Line coach will only help him solidify his game as potentially one of the best OT’s in football. He can take over for Joe Staley next year while still having the ability to slide in to either T spot should an injury arise.

Other picks I saw were WR and DL to replace DeForest Buckner. With Ruggs, Jeudy and Lamb off the board (and the restriction of no trades allowed), WR was not the right pick at 13. Those three are the only ones that should be taken within the top 15 and they weren’t available. With the 49ers having a pick at the end of the first, they should be able to snag Tee Higgins or Brandon Aiyuk or Denzel Mims at 31. Javon Kinlaw was another option I considered, however with the 49ers defensive line including Armstead, Bosa and Thomas, it seemed the better option was to take the OT that can be a perennial All Pro and fits their scheme perfectly. They should also have the option to address DL with Ross Blacklock, Nevin Gallimore or Justin Madubuike.

The 49ers have 2 picks in the first round and don’t pick again until Round 5. If they can come away with a stud OT of the future that fits well for them and can solidify their line and combine that with either a playmaking WR or a good IDL to fill Buckner’s spot, I’d consider this draft a big success for them and would look at them to continue to be a force within the NFC.

2020 BGN Mock Draft Order

1) Bengals (grantspectations): QB Joe Burrow
2) Washington (ablesser88): EDGE Chase Young
3) Lions (CMG97): CB Jeff Okudah
4) Giants (selgae aihpledalihp): LB Isaiah Simmons
5) Dolphins (dceagles): WR CeeDee Lamb
6) Chargers (dapeltz13): QB Tua Tagovailoa
7) Panthers (wardbell92): DT Derrick Brown
8) Cardinals (drc242): OT Mekhi Becton
9) Jaguars (Palaniappan K M): OT Tristan Wirfs
10) Browns (WentzAndFolesFan): WR Jerry Jeudy
11) Jets (Dr_Horrible): OT Jedrick Wills
12) Raiders (Phillysolo): WR Henry Ruggs III
13) 49ers (eagles0132): OT Andrew Thomas
14) Buccaneers (BuckeyedEagles):
15) Broncos (J. Wil):
16) Falcons (Kephas)
17) Cowboys (PhillyBirdGang):
18) Dolphins (dshelton5):
19) Raiders (fredhugo):
20) Jaguars (ItownBallers22)
21) Eagles (20Safety_Hazards)
22) Vikings (Kramerpoo):
23) Patriots (Phoenix X Minimus)
24) Saints (big DUB):
25) Vikings (MrW254):
26) Dolphins (SemperFilly):
27) Seahawks (mattywils):
28) Ravens (Dirtybirdy47):
29) Titans (mr_england):
30) Packers (Nishant R SambhiReddy):
31) 49ers (Fly Like An Eagle):
32) Chiefs (Leo Bedio):

Now it’s time for you to vote for who YOU think the 49ers should pick in the 2020 BGN Community Consensus Mock Draft.

2020 BGN Community Consensus Mock Draft

1) Bengals: QB Joe Burrow
2) Washington: EDGE Chase Young
3) Lions: CB Jeff Okudah
4) Giants: LB Isaiah Simmons
5) Dolphins: QB Tua Tagovailoa
6) Chargers: QB Justin Herbert
7) Panthers: DT Derrick Brown
8) Cardinals: OT Mekhi Becton
9) Jaguars: OT Tristan Wirfs
10) Browns: OT Andrew Thomas
11) Jets: OT Jedrick Wills
12) Raiders: WR CeeDee Lamb
13) 49ers: