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San Francisco 49ers: Offensive line must be top priority at 2018 NFL Draft

By Maxwell Ogden

SANTA CLARA, CA - DECEMBER 24: Head coach Kyle Shanahan of the San Francisco 49ers congratulates Jimmy Garoppolo #10 after a one-yard touchdown run against the Jacksonville Jaguars during their NFL game at Levi's Stadium on December 24, 2017 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Robert Reiners/Getty Images)
SANTA CLARA, CA - DECEMBER 24: Head coach Kyle Shanahan of the San Francisco 49ers congratulates Jimmy Garoppolo #10 after a one-yard touchdown run against the Jacksonville Jaguars during their NFL game at Levi's Stadium on December 24, 2017 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Robert Reiners/Getty Images) /
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CHICAGO, IL – DECEMBER 03: Quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo #10 of the San Francisco 49ers is pushed out of bounds by Roy Robertson-Harris #95 of the Chicago Bears in the first quarter at Soldier Field on December 3, 2017 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images)
CHICAGO, IL – DECEMBER 03: Quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo #10 of the San Francisco 49ers is pushed out of bounds by Roy Robertson-Harris #95 of the Chicago Bears in the first quarter at Soldier Field on December 3, 2017 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images) /

The Options

A coin flip will occur to decide if it’s the Oakland Raiders or San Francisco 49ers that will be in possession of the No. 10 overall selection in the 2018 NFL Draft. Whether San Francisco picks No. 9 or No. 10, the focus should be on the offensive line.

Free agents, Ryan Jensen and Brett Jones could be options at center, and Andrew Norwell and Zach Fulton are outstanding pass protectors at guard, but the 2018 NFL Draft should be utilized.

Notre Dame Fighting Irish guard Quenton Nelson is widely regarded as the best offensive lineman in this class. He’s a physically dominant player who plays with a mean streak and excels at protecting both the pass and the run.

Georgia Bulldogs guard Isaiah Wynn is a sleeper with Pro Bowl potential, although I’m not entirely sure if selecting him at No. 9 or No. 10 overall would be a realistic option.

At tackle, Orlando Brown, Mike McGlinchey, and Connor Williams are generally viewed as the top prospects. Brown is a 6’8″ phenom and the son of an NFL lineman; McGlinchey is the epitome of consistency; and Williams has a high ceiling to balance his injury concerns.

If the 49ers were to acquire a cost-controlled guard via the 2018 NFL Draft and a proven veteran via free agency, they could make an immediate and significant upgrade.

Must Read: 2018 NFL Draft: Super Bowl LII Edition

Regardless of how they choose to do it, the San Francisco 49ers must make protecting Jimmy Garoppolo the top priority at the 2018 NFL Draft.

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