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Each year, we run a series of post called "90-in-90" here at Niners Nation. The idea is that we'll take a look at every single player on the roster, from the very bottom to the top and break them down a few different ways. This is to help give everyone a basic understanding of a roster. Of course, this roster will change, and some days we'll have more than one so it's not strictly one per day but you get the idea.
John Paul (J.P.) Flynn provides some young blood at a very thin position for the 49ers: offensive guard. A four-year starter at guard for Montana State, he was first team All-Big-Sky-Conference two years and third team All-Conference the other two.
He’s an avid fly fisherman and an engineering student who actually designed the building he’s been training in.
Basic info
Age: 23 (turns 24 on August 30, 2017)
Experience: Rookie
Height: 6’5.6”
Weight: 320
40-yard dash: 5.17 (Pro Day)
3-Cone drill: 7.5
225 lb bench press reps: 21
20-yard shuttle: 4.73
Vertical jump: 30.5”
Long jump: 8’8”
Salary: $465,000
Guarantees: None
Scouting reports
Spent five years at Montana State and finished his career by starting 43 consecutive games. Earned First-Team All-Big Sky honors in 2016 after starting all 11 games as a senior. In 2015, started all 11 games at left guard. In 2014, started all 13 games at left guard and earned First-Team All-Big Sky honors. Was named Third-Team All-Big Sky in 2013 after starting the final eight games of the season. Redshirted as a true freshman in 2012. Attended Bettendorf (IA) HS, where he earned first-team all-state honors as a senior after helping lead Bettendorf to an undefeated regular season and state runner-up finish. Born 8/30/93 in Knoxville, TN.
Why he might succeed in the NFL
Everyone praises his field intelligence, and he came back strong from a torn patella tendon that required surgery. He obviously produced at the FCS level with remarkable consistency bordering on dominance over 4 years.
Why he might not
The breakdown of his skills at DraftAnalyst.com has a damning evaluation for a guard in Kyle Shanahan’s system:
[He] isn’t quick or effective pulling across the line of scrimmage and struggles blocking in motion. Not a natural knee bender. Analysis: Flynn offers solid size as well as growth potential but can only be used in a blocking system which reduces his area assignments.
If true, that means he’s a total mismatch for a zone blocking scheme primarily used for outside zone runs.
Odds of making the roster
it’s unlikely the team wants a guard who can only play on passing downs. I’m afraid it does not look good for young Mr. Flynn, even as a practice squad candidate, unless he can prove that evaluation wrong.
Flynn is probably close to maxed out, using his intelligence and technique to dominate in FCS ball. Highly athletic converted tight end and swing tackle Andrew “Slauderdale” Lauderdale would be a much better prospect for the 49ers to stash away and train if they have room for a lineman on the practice squad.