Time for 49ers to turn offensive?
This year it might be time to find pieces to blend with Garoppolo
SANTA CLARA >> Year after year, the 49ers can’t kick their habit of drafting defenders early, and that even carried over to the new regime last year with coach Kyle Shanahan and general manager John Lynch.
Their first three picks: defensive tackle Solomon Thomas, linebacker Reuben Foster, cornerback Ahkello Witherspoon.
“All right, we’re going offense now. You’ve had your fun,” Shanahan, an offensive mastermind,
joked during the third round to Lynch, a former All-Pro safety.
A year later, the 49ers could go offense-oriented with Thursday’s top draft pick (No. 9 overall) to bolster quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo’s supporting cast.
Otherwise, it’s back to defense for obvious needs: a long-sought sack artist, an inside linebacker (see: Foster’s legal woes), and a shutdown cornerback to complement or fill in for Richard Sherman.
Look, defensive No. 1 picks are so last year (Thomas) … and 2016 (DeForest Buckner) … and 2015 (Arik Armstead) … and 2014 (Jim-
mie Ward) … and 2013 (Eric Reid).
Since 2015, the 49ers have gone defense with eight of 10 draft picks in the first three rounds and 13 of 18 since 2013.
Now, with a run on quarterbacks projected early, the 49ers will have options at No. 9, assuming they stay there and don’t trade as Lynch did quite well a year ago.
Offensively, Quenton Nelson and Mike McGlinchey are arguably the draft’s top guard and tackle, respectively. Speedy Calvin Ridley’s refined routes and Courtland Sutton’s 6-foot-3 frame would be nice sights for Garoppolo’s eyes.
The 49ers skipped over offense early last draft after their free agent haul yielded wide receivers Pierre Garçon and Marquise Goodwin, fullback Kyle Juszczyk and, ahem, quarterback Brian Hoyer.
Perhaps history is repeating. The 49ers spent big this free agency on running back Jerick McKinnon, center Weston Richburg and, oh yeah, Garoppolo’s record deal.
To better break it down, here is why four offensive
prospects make sense, and, OK, four defensive prospects:
• Guard Quenton Nelson (Notre Dame; 6-5, 329): Touted as one of the draft’s best guards in decades, Nelson would pair nicely next to Richburg and fortify the offensive line for years to come. The 49ers likely would have to trade up to get him, perhaps up to No. 4.
• Offensive tackle Mike McGlinchey (Notre Dame; 6-8, 312): While Joe Staley has a year or two left, Trent Brown is not signed beyond 2018. McGlinchey, Matt Ryan’s cousin, was a captain at Notre Dame, as CEO Jed York and 49ers icon Joe Montana can attest.
• Wide receiver Courtland Sutton (SMU; 6-3, 218):
He has the red-zone size the 49ers need, and he has Jerry Rice’s endorsement on Twitter proclaiming “a prototypical frame and physicality.”
• Wide receiver Calvin Ridley (Alabama; 6-0, 189): Ridley is the draft’s most heralded receiver with great route running and speed. Cons: He’s thin and turns 24 on Dec. 20.
• Linebacker Roquan Smith (Georgia; 6-1, 236): The Butkus Award winner can use his speed and instincts to transition quickly. As to those who say he’s undersized, Patrick Willis arrived 6-1, 240.
• Linebacker Tremaine Edmunds (Virginia Tech; 6-5, 254): The 49ers need as many dynamic playmakers as possible for a blossoming defense, and the versatile Edmunds turns just 20 years old on May 2.
• Pass rusher Marcus Davenport (Texas-San Antonio; 6-6, 264): He has the size, power, moves and underdog mentality that could morph him into the 49ers’ best sack artist since Aldon Smith.
• Defensive end Harold Landry (Boston College; 6-3, 252): Has quick, outside move and visual discipline when attacking the ball. Is he a 16.5-sack performer (2016) or a 5-sack, injury-hampered gamble (2017)?