The San Francisco 49ers have made a big trade, climbing back into the first round of the 2016 NFL Draft. With the pick, the team is selecting Stanford offensive guard Joshua Garnett. The 49ers gave up their 4th (105) and 6th (178) round picks to make this happen.
The move is a bit of a surprise as many thought Garnett would slip down to the second round. However, the 49ers obviously were big fans, and he will get a chance to compete for the right guard role right away. Zane Beadles is locked in at left guard, having only played there his entire career. This is a bit of a statement on what the team thinks about guys like Andrew Tiller, Brandon Thomas, and maybe Marcus Martin. Very intriguing.
Here's what Jake Narayan had to say about Garnett in his prospect profile:
The 49ers offensive line needs serious help. With Kilgore coming back to play center,
and Anthony Davis returning from retirement to help out at right tackle, it results in the left and right guard positions needing to be filled. We know Alex Boone will be gone, and Jordan Devey cannot get the job done. Andrew Tiller showed some signs, but is still a little rough around the edges -- it leaves a potentially gaping need for a guard to enter the scene and start immediately. I believe Garnett is the man for the job. With incredibly raw power in the run game, short-area quickness and the speed to get to the second level in a hurry, he's exactly what Chip Kelly looks for in an offensive lineman.
1. First round: DeForest Buckner, DT, Oregon
2. First round: Joshua Garnett, OG, Stanford
3. Third round: Own pick - No. 5 (68)
4. Fourth round: Comp pick - No. 35 (133)
5. Fifth round: San Diego Chargers (2015 draft-day trade) - No. 3 (142)
6. Fifth round: Own pick - No. 6 (145)
7. Fifth round: Comp pick - No. 37 (174)
8. Sixth round: Denver Broncos (Vernon Davis trade) - No. 32 (207)
9. Sixth round: Comp pick - No. 36 (211)
10. Sixth round: Comp pick - No. 38 (213)
11. Seventh: Kansas City Chiefs (2016 draft-day trade) - No. 28 (249)