No. 29

Pick by Niners Nation Gosder Cherilus Offensive Tackle Boston College

With the 29th overall selection in the 2008 SB Nation NFL Mock Draft, the San Francisco 49ers have selected offensive tackle Gosder Cherilus of Boston College.  Fooch, head blogger at Niners Nation, explains passing on some bigger-name prospects (including OT Jeff Otah) for the underrated Cherilus:

  It's no secret that the 49ers offensive line was a trainwreck this past season, one of many reasons the 49ers struggled on offense.  The lone bright spot was the play of rookie right tackle Joe Staley.  The worst kept secret in 49er land is that Staley will be moving to the blind side in 2008.  Without a drafted replacement, Jonas Jennings would be the guy to slide over to right tackle.  However, drafting a guy like Gosder Cherilus would allow the 49ers to conceivably set themselves up at the tackle positions for the next decade.  There are some guys with higher upside, but Cherilus is a safe, solid pick that the 49ers need to make at this point, and he's a guy who will contribute right away.  Cherilus played right tackle early in his college career before switching to left tackle his senior season.  This switch caused him to struggle a little bit, but in the NFL he'll have the opportunity to return to his more natural position at right tackle.

The 49ers certainly have other needs to fill including pass rushers and playmakers at the wide receiver position.  While there are some guys this 49ers fan likes - and it would be fun to grab a guy like Jerod Mayo to pair with Patrick Willis - I am taking the more pragmatic approach.  There are some wide receivers that will make contributions at the next level, but I'm of the opinion that it can be a crapshoot at this point and Cherilus improves the odds in the 49ers favor of hitting with this first round pick.  One option that has been discussed (more by fans than those in the know) is the idea of dealing back from this spot in the wake of losing a pick and dropping back with another pick in the tampering situation.  While I don't expect a trade, there could certainly be value in dropping down 5 or 6 spots to pick up some later round picks.
 
Matt Miller, host of this site as well as owner of New Era Scouting, provides his analysis below:

  I am going to be very up front and point out that I am a lifelong 49ers fan, and I'm also a good friend of Fooch. With that being said, I really tried to push him into drafting Dan Connor or Jerod Mayo. The 49ers do have legitimate needs at offensive tackle, as they do virtually everywhere else. The team is in such a hole that drafting the best player fits as well as drafting the biggest need. There is no wrong pick here, other than running back.

Some people would argue that a wide receiver is needed, but the team picked up Isaac Bruce and Bryant Johnson this off-season to combine with Jason Hill and Arnez Battle. Hill has starting potential, but was in Jim Hostler's dog house last season. He should thrive in Mike Martz's timing offense.

This pick will allow a smooth transition to left tackle for Joe Staley, but it also means another rookie starting at right tackle. Cherilus is a mammoth player, the largest at the Senior Bowl, and should be very effective immediately in his career. I'm not saying he'll be Joe Thomas, but he can be an impact player.

This selection also gives San Francisco two very young offensive tackles locked in a a low salary. Both were selected in the last few slots of the first-round, meaning they aren't being paid tons of money. If both player can pan out, the 49ers will have the building blocks to a dominant offensive line.

Grade: A-  ::  Gosder Cherilus Scouting Report - New Era Scouting :: Matt Miller's Top Five Prospects Remaining: 1.  LB Dan Connor, 2.  LB Jerod Mayo, 3.  QB Joe Flacco, 4.  Kentwan Balmer, 5.  LB Shawn Crable

We've got one more pick headed your way today, and it will be made by Brandon out at Acme Packing Company.  The Green Bay Packers are now officially on the clock.