Arik Armstead is 49ers First-Round Pick
The San Francisco 49ers entered the first-round of the 2015 NFL Draft on Thursday slated to draft with the 15th overall pick. After Michigan State cornerback Trae Waynes and Louisville wide receiver DeVante Parker were selected (two players who were presumably very high on the 49ers’ draft board) at 11th and 14th overall, respectively, the 49ers swung a deal with the San Diego Chargers.
The 49ers got a good deal out of the trade, as they gave San Diego the 15th pick, and slid back just two spots to 17, and received this year’s fourth-round pick, and next year’s fifth-round pick. With the pick, the Chargers took Melvin Gordon, running back from Wisconsin.
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The 49ers made their selection just two slots later, and in a move that was not so surprising to many, they took Oregon defensive lineman Arik Armstead at 17.
Looking statistically, this move could make you scratch your head. Armstead totaled just 2.5 sacks in 2014, and forced no fumbles.
But looking at the measurables, Armstead is an absolute physical freak. He stands just over 6’7″, and weighs in at 290 pounds. He posted a 34-inch vertical leap, and 117-inch broad jump. He’s a former basketball player, and red-shirted for the Ducks’ team during his freshman year.
Mike Mayock thinks Armstead is a great pick for the 49ers.
"“His length and power are both amazing. He’s a perfect scheme fit for the 49ers as a five-technique, which means he’s a defensive end in a 3-4 defense. He’s so young and inexperienced, but the sky is the limit.”"
Armstead will likely play defensive end, but he has the size and strength to move inside, if necessary. With the uncertainty revolving around Justin Smith, if he will retire or return, it may become necessary.
If Armstead does stay as a defensive end, he will have a great teacher on the other side of him in Darnell Dockett. The 49ers picked up Dockett as a free agent this offseason, from their division rival Arizona Cardinals.
There is going to be a learning process for Armstead, because as Mayock mentioned, he’s still very young (just 21 years old). Having an experienced player like Dockett, who is entering his 12th NFL season and is a former Pro Bowler and All-Pro, will help speed up the process. Dockett also played defensive tackle earlier in his career, so if Armstead does make the switch to the inside, he can help there as well.
Armstead has been plagued by inconsistencies throughout his career, as he has been known to disappear at times throughout his career. But he showed how good he really can be in the National Championship game against Ohio State. Even though the Ducks were dominated, Armstead played great in the inside, despite being hobbled by a knee injury.
Injuries are another issue for Armstead. He missed a pair of games, and was absent during parts of a lot more with the knee injury. With an entire offseason to rest and rehab, hopefully the knee is no longer an issue.
The 49ers drafted potential more than performance with this pick. There’s a lot of potential in Armstead, and if he could unlock it, the 49ers pass-rush could become one of the most feared in the game again.