San Francisco 49ers: Rookie Expectations for Mike McGlinchey

The 2018 NFL Draft didn’t feature any elite offensive tackles. Despite this, will Mike McGlinchey play up to his draft value in 2018 for the San Francisco 49ers?

No team in the NFL made a faster turnaround than the San Francisco 49ers in 2017.  Starting off the year with nine straight losses, the 49ers appeared to be in utter disarray.

There was even a point during this span in which many debated if the Niners would secure the first overall pick over the Cleveland Browns.

Thier path was redirected quickly and in a big way. After pulling off a trade for Jimmy Garoppolo, San Francisco went on to win the final five games of the season. Halfway through 2017, analysts everywhere talked of a San Francisco rebuild lasting multiple years.

Now they’re talking about how they can sneak into a wild-card spot in 2018.

But what’s necessary for this playoff run to occur? A long, tall offensive tackle to play opposite of Joe Staley. And his name is Mike McGlinchey.

No team can go wrong with drafting a Harry Hiestand coached lineman. Over the last few seasons, Notre Dame has put out some of the finest offensive line prospects in the NFL, including Zack Martin, Ronnie Stanley, and Quenton Nelson.

There’s one distinct trait that’s separated all of them from the rest: Elite and polished technique.

McGlinchey might not have been the most athletic tackle prospect in this past draft. However, what discerned him from the rest was how technically sound and long he is. Head coach Kyle Shannahan knew he was getting a guy who didn’t need to be molded and developed from the ground up.

And adding players who can contribute right away is important for a team that’s ready to win in the next few years.

Adding to McGlinchey’s technique is his rare combination of length and power. At the Combine, he measured in with enormous 10-inch hands and freakish 34-inch long arms. At 6’8″ and 309 pounds, he also threw up 24 reps on the bench.

Even though that number wasn’t the best at his position, it’s really impressive for a player with arms that long. To attribute his power further, he even landed a 28.5-inch vertical jump.

With all of McGlinchey’s positives, however, comes one enormous downfall. In his time at Notre Dame, he struggled mightily against speed rushers. Moving quickly hasn’t been McGlinchey’s strong suit, and taking on speed pass rushers has troubled him.

This reason alone made his draft day destination very important. While he played most of his career at left tackle, McGlinchey is far better off playing on the right side due to his deficiencies.

Thankfully, the 49ers called, and now McGlinchey can play across from and learn from one of the best veteran tackles in the NFL. He can grow and learn while spending most of his time facing off against secondary rushers.

Staley has already made an early impact on McGlinchey. They’ve gotten along so well that they were spotted singing karaoke together.

While the pieces appear to be falling into place, 2018 will be a bumpy ride for McGlinchey. There will be plenty of times when 49ers fans are in awe of the quality of play they get from their top ten pick.

However, at the same time, his lack of ability to perform well against speedier defenders will prove frustrating.

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In 2017, the San Francisco 49ers were sixth in passing play call percentage at 61.44 percent. The addition of Jerick McKinnon and Dante Pettis only suggest more reliance on the passing game.

Mike McGlinchey’s ability to pass set and hold down faster players will be the determining factor of his success in 2018.