Editor’s Note: Niners Wire draft guru Jerod Brown has been putting together scouting reports of a number of 49ers rookies. Our final installment is a look at first-round pick Mike McGlinchey, a a tackle from Notre Dame, who was taken with pick No. 9 in the 2018 NFL Draft.
Strengths
Mike McGlinchey comes tailor-made for the NFL after playing at Notre Dame, a school with a tradition of success along the offensive line and, arguably, one of the best units in college football last season. After four years of experience starting at both left and right tackle, McGlinchey has the power and athleticism to line up on either side and face top-tier talent. His length is ideal, with a 6-foot-8 frame that carries 309 pounds like it’s easy.
McGlinchey’s pass sets were some of the cleanest in the draft class. He drives out of his stance with intent while showing the fluidity and flexibility to create the proper angles at his ankles, knees and hips that allow him to set against a multitude of pass-rush styles.
The coaching that McGlinchey received at Notre Dame is some of the best in the country and it showed in his tape. He’s an intelligent player that processes quickly and efficiently, including working to second-level defenders in space with ease. He’s an above-average pass protector with the feet to redirect crosses and stunts while using well-timed and accurate strikes to create space when necessary.
Weaknesses
McGlinchey’s weaknesses are few and far between, but there’s certainly room for development. Primarily, he’ll have to work closely with the 49ers strength and conditioning staff to continue building a frame that can withstand NFL-caliber power routinely. The play strength issues weren’t exploited in college but, against NFL pass-rushers that convert speed to power, McGlinchey will have to develop the core strength to anchor and dig out stout defenders.
(Irish offensive lineman Mike McGlinchey (68) – Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports)
At the same time, the athleticism that makes McGlinchey such an impressive player has to remain. Finding the balance between power and athleticism will be the toughest task the rookie faces in his first year. The length that helps as a pass-protector can become an issue in the run game, with leverage at the line of scrimmage being paramount. As games wear on, McGlinchey’s pad level tends to rise, creating leverage concerns as a power run blocker.
None of this appears dire, but if McGlinchey is expected to be a 10-year starter, he’ll have to focus on the intricate details that build continual success in the NFL.
Outlook
The 49ers’ stance on McGlinchey is apparent. After selecting him in the first round, they wasted little time trading former right tackle Trent Brown to the New England Patriots just a day later. McGlinchey has spent the offseason developing a relationship with veteran tackle and leader of the team, Joe Staley.
While McGlinchey may be groomed to take Staley’s role soon, the two form an impressive tandem to serve as bookends in Jimmy Garoppolo’s protection in the meantime. The rookie can learn immediate from watching Staley work, as the veteran has built a career on being an above-average run defender with the craftiness to succeed as a pass protector.
McGlinchey lined up as the starting right tackle throughout most of OTAs and, if he stays healthy, he has a strong grasp on that role. Teams don’t select a player in the top 10 to keep him off of the field for very long.
He’ll have to spend the next month and a half before training camp building his body to handle the rigors of an NFL season, but the rookie looks well-suited to meet the demands of the franchise. After watching Staley serve as a stalwart along the offensive line for the last 11 years, the 49ers have begun developing his replacement.
