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2016 NFL Mock Draft 9.0: Last Call

By David Harrison

Apr 30, 2015; Chicago, IL, USA; Melvin Gordon (Wisconsin) poses for a photo with NFL commissioner Roger Goodell after being selected as the number 15th overall pick to the San Diego Chargers in the first round of the 2015 NFL Draft at the Auditorium Theatre of Roosevelt University. Mandatory Credit: Dennis Wierzbicki-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 30, 2015; Chicago, IL, USA; Melvin Gordon (Wisconsin) poses for a photo with NFL commissioner Roger Goodell after being selected as the number 15th overall pick to the San Diego Chargers in the first round of the 2015 NFL Draft at the Auditorium Theatre of Roosevelt University. Mandatory Credit: Dennis Wierzbicki-USA TODAY Sports /
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Nov 8, 2014; Tempe, AZ, USA; Notre Dame Fighting Irish offensive lineman Ronnie Stanley (78) against the Arizona State Sun Devils at Sun Devil Stadium. Arizona State defeated Notre Dame 55-31. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 8, 2014; Tempe, AZ, USA; Notre Dame Fighting Irish offensive lineman Ronnie Stanley (78) against the Arizona State Sun Devils at Sun Devil Stadium. Arizona State defeated Notre Dame 55-31. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports /

OT. Notre Dame. Ronnie Stanley. 7. player. 42.

With the top quarterbacks off the board and the best offensive tackle selected one pick before, the 49ers are left in a position to take a the top remaining player at a position of need or reaching for the presumed top receiver Laquon Treadwell.

When taking the next-best guy it’s a good idea to take the one who also possesses elite levels of talent at their position and while Ronnie Stanley from Notre Dame may be the number two offensive lineman, he’s an elite talent all his own.

Without the ability to take a top quarterback it looks like San Francisco will be moving forward with Colin Kaepernick and Blaine Gabbert vying for the chance to be the guy to run Chip Kelly’s new offense.

The team and coach have been public about their desire to keep the one-time franchise quarterback on their roster and giving him a solid right tackle to go with Joe Staley on the left side will ensure they can provide him some edge security as they try to re-build the team into a perennial contender.

While the team will need many more pieces before they can compete with the likes of the Seahawks, Cardinals, and upstart Rams, securing the frontline should be the move to make with the number seven choice. 

Previously:  Vernon Hargreaves III – CB – Florida

Next: 8. Cleveland Browns

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