The 49ers’ needs in this year’s draft can comfortably be put into tiers. Interior offensive line is alone at the top. Cornerback, safety and edge rusher are also on the list somewhere below the offensive line. One position that doesn’t often come to mind when going over needs for San Francisco is tight end.
While it flies under the radar as an area to address, the idea of adding another high-quality TE next to George Kittle is an intriguing one. Touchdown Wire’s Doug Farrar in a two-round mock draft played out a hypothetical where the 49ers do invest their first draft pick in a TE when they select Colorado State’s Trey McBride.
McBride is considered by some to be the best player at his position in this class, and it’s hard to believe he’d slide as for as No. 61. It’s equally hard to believe the 49ers would pass on him if he makes it to them. It’s one of the advantages of being in the position the 49ers are in. They have some needs, but nothing so dire that they have to let a player of McBride’s caliber slip past them if he drops.
There aren’t a ton of flaws with McBride, who did a little bit of everything for Colorado State. He’s a good in-line blocker, but he’s athletic enough to move around the formation which would pair perfectly alongside Kittle, giving head coach Kyle Shanahan maximum flexibility with formations and play calls out of two-tight end sets. McBride would also be able to contribute right away.
NFL.com’s Lance Zierlein compared McBride to Austin Hooper, who had success with Shanahan in Atlanta. Shanahan and the 49ers also pursued Hooper in free agency ahead of the 2020 season. Finding a player like him on a rookie contract would be ideal for San Francisco.
McBride in four years with the Rams posted 164 receptions for 2,100 yards and 10 touchdowns.
