There’s a general consensus that the San Francisco 49ers should be using their first-round pick to improve in the trenches. Whether that should be on the offensive or defensive line is up for debate.
A top 100 big board from the Athletic’s Dane Brugler gives us an opportunity to look at a different direction for San Francisco.
In Brugler’s top 11 players there are four defensive linemen and two offensive lineman. There’s also a cornerback, wide receiver and running back. The other two spots, Nos. 10 and 11, belong to tight ends Ty Warren (Penn State) and Colston Loveland (Michigan).
There’s a very real chance the 49ers are up at No. 11 with a tight end listed as their best player available.
It’s not at the top of their list of needs, but it wouldn’t be a pure luxury pick with George Kittle turning 32 early in this season and no proven options behind him on the depth chart.
Loveland, the No. 11 prospect, was never a particularly effective run blocker in college, but Brugler had high praise for him as a receiver.
Via the Athletic:
His final season was marred by injury and below-average quarterback play, but Loveland still led Michigan in receiving in nine of his 10 games and set program records at tight end. With his speed and ball skills, he can line up anywhere on the field and win as a QB-friendly, multi-level receiving threat. He has the most upside of any pass catcher in this draft class.
Warren is a player some analysts have compared to Kittle because of his versatility as a blocker and as a playmaker in the passing game. That’s a big reason why he’s 10th on Brugler’s board.
Via the Athletic:
A high school quarterback, Warren initially joined a Penn State tight end room that included four other future NFL Draft picks (Pat Freiermuth, Brenton Strange, Zack Kuntz and Theo Johnson) — and he became the best of the group.
He moves with light feet, fluid body movements and natural balance, all of which help him transition instantly from receiver to runner and become a threat with the ball in his hands.
Of course, the draft won’t fall exactly the way Brugler’s big board does. This helps highlight just how good the top of this year’s tight end class is, though. There’s a real likelihood when the 49ers are on the clock that one of those TEs is available and at the top of their board.