Needing blocking help, 49ers were last in line

By Chris Cluff  |   Sunday, April 27, 2008  |  Comments( 2 )

San Francisco 49ers
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The San Francisco 49ers already were thin on the offensive line, and David Baas’ chest injury made it even more imperative that they draft a couple of linemen. Because so many other teams wanted big guys, too, the 49ers were blocked out in the first round. But, in the end, they got some much-needed help.

Seven linemen were drafted in the first 21 picks, and eight were gone by the time the 49ers drafted at No. 29. Jake Long was long gone – taken first overall by Miami last Tuesday. And then the big run on big men started with the 12th pick, where Denver took Boise State tackle Ryan Clady. Chicago snagged Vanderbilt tackle Chris Williams at 14, and Kansas City traded up two spots to 15 to get Virginia guard Branden Albert, who was the highest-rated player on the 49ers’ draft board at that point.

At No. 17, Detroit drafted Boston College tackle Gosder Cherilus. Carolina wanted Pittsburgh tackle Jeff Otah so much that the Panthers gave their 2009 first-round pick to Philadelphia to get back into the first round and take Otah with the 19th pick. Then Atlanta also traded back into the first round to draft USC tackle Sam Baker at No. 21. That capped a run of six offensive linemen in a span of 10 picks.

Because of that flurry, the 49ers had no shot at any of the guys most mock drafts had them possibly taking – Baker, Cherilus and Albert. The 49ers ended up using their top pick on defensive tackle Kentwan Balmer, and then they got their O-linemen – USC guard Chilo Rachal in the second round and Texas A&M center Cody Wallace in the fourth.

While Rachal and Wallace both have limitations – scouting reports indicate both are somewhat weak in pass protection – they should nonetheless help out the 49ers’ depth up front. The 6-foot-5, 315-pound Rachal is strong and powerful, and he also moves well and is technically sound. Wallace – 6-4 and 296 – isn’t very strong but is athletic and savvy. He should provide immediate backup help to center Eric Heitmann, and he's insurance in case Heitmann signs elsewhere next year.

Short term, Rachal and Wallace offer help while Baas is out. Baas, whom the 49ers selected 33rd overall in the 2005 draft, finally got some extended playing time last season when he started nine games for the injured Justin Smiley. And with Smiley gone, Baas is the projected starter at right guard. But he is expected to miss most of training camp with a torn pectoral muscle – a blow to a line that already will have starters at four new positions.

In addition to Baas’ expected promotion, Joe Staley will move from right tackle to left, Adam Snyder will replace Larry Allen at left guard, and Jonas Jennings will move from left tackle to right. Before adding Rachal and Wallace, the quality of the 49ers’ depth was questionable, with Tony Wragge, Jeb Terry and Qasim Mitchell the main reserves.

The 49ers might have had to wait, but they managed to line up some better depth for a line that looks like it will need it again.
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About Chris Cluff

Chris Cluff spent 10 years as an editor and sportswriter for The Seattle Times. He was a key figure in the newspaper's coverage of the Seahawks, particularly during their Super Bowl run in 2005. He also has written two books on the Seahawks: "The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly: Heart-Pounding, ...
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