Armand Membou isn’t a new name, but he’d be a significant upgrade for the 49ers at right tackle.
We’re past the primary waves of free agency, and most teams will use the NFL Draft to fill the remaining holes on their rosters. Thus, we are headed into prime mock draft season.
A few short weeks ago, Colorado quarterback Shedeur Sanders was allegedly tumbling down draft boards and in danger of not being drafted in the first round. In Tuesday’s mock draft by Mel Kiper Jr., Sanders went third overall.
Here’s how Kiper’s mock went in the picks leading up to the San Francisco 49ers at No. 11:
- Titans – QB – Cam Ward Browns
- Browns – Edge rusher – Abdul Carter
- QB – Shedeur Sanders – Patriots
- Patriots – WR/CB – Travis Hunter
- Jaguars – DT – Mason Graham
- Raiders – RB Ashton Jeanty
- Jets – TE Tyler Warren
- Panthers – LB/Edge Rusher – Jalon Walker
- Saints – QB Jaxson Dart
- Bears – Edge Rusher – Mykel Williams
The Niners would love for a third quarterback to go in the top ten picks and push a premium player down in the draft. We’ve seen Graham slide to the 49ers, but that never felt realistic, given his production and how most project him moving forward.
The Georgia tandem of Walker and Williams are players that are multiple in what positions they can play but not ones you would categorize as top 10 talents, in my opinion, so the 49ers are fortunate to avoid the temptation of them at pick 11.
Defensive line, offensive tackle, and cornerback are the Niners primary needs. Kiper has the 49ers replacing Colton McKivitz:
Armand Membou, OT/G, Missouri
In case you missed it, the 49ers suddenly have a lot of needs. A snippet of the key losses over the past week: Charvarius Ward, Leonard Floyd, Dre Greenlaw, Talanoa Hufanga, Javon Hargrave and Deebo Samuel Sr. That’s a bunch of talent walking out the door, and the Niners could really address any of those spots.
But San Francisco also is working to extend quarterback Brock Purdy, and building up the offensive line in front of him has to be a priority. Aaron Banks and Jaylon Moore signed elsewhere, and Trent Williams — who has two years left on his deal — will be 37 this coming season. Membou is my top-ranked tackle in the class, and I see him sliding in on the right side, where he started 30 games in college. He also could play guard at a high level early in his career, however, then transition to left tackle down the road.
Membou wouldn’t be a flashy or sexy pick, but he’s one of the best players in the draft. It would be difficult to find more of an upgrade at a position in the first round for any team when we’re talking about removing McKivitz and his blown block percentage against the pass that was the eighth-worst in the NFL among all offensive linemen.
The Niners have backed themselves into a corner heading into the draft with multiple needs along the defensive line. A right tackle in the first round would be tipping their hands that they’d be making a run on defensive tackles or edge rushers in some capacity in rounds two, three, and four.
Membou’s talent trumps most players in this draft. He has the skill set to be Lane Johnson, so it’s no surprise to see Kiper slot him in at No. 11.