49ers to meet in person with massive OT prospect with major upside
· Yahoo Sports
The San Francisco 49ers are going into another offseason looking for depth on their offensive line. It wouldn't be a surprise if they did so via the NFL draft, and they're set to meet with Memphis offensive tackle Travis Burke near his Pro Day according to Sports Illustrated's Justin Melo.
Melo on Monday reported Burke was set for in-person meetings with the 49ers, New York Giants, New England Patriots and Atlanta Falcons. Burke will work out at Memphis's Pro Day on March 19.
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It's notable that Burke is projected to be a later-round draft pick since that's in line with how the 49ers have typically addressed their needs up front. With starting OTs Trent Williams and Colton McKivitz presumably in place, a project OT in the mid-to-late rounds would make sense for San Francisco.
Burke doesn't bring a ton of athleticism, but he does bring bona fide NFL size. He measured in at 6-9, 325 pounds with 34 1/4-inch arms at the NFL combine.
Here's what NFL Media draft analyst Lance Zierlein had to say about Burke in his prospect profile:
Burke is a tall tackle with plus drive-blocking talent for his body type. He uses flexible hips and ankles, along with well-placed hands, to create leverage at the point of attack. He finishes blocks with good aggression when the opportunity arises. A lack of short-area quickness limits his range as a run blocker and in pass protection. He’s scheme-dependent in the run game and will need help managing NFL edge speed, but strong hands allow for longer sustained control when he lands cleanly. There are areas of concern that might not be coachable, but Burke’s length and demeanor work in his favor.
If the issues Burke has are truly coachable it's easy to see why the 49ers would covet him. He could play a reserve OT role while he develops and potentially becomes a successor to Williams. With a mid-to-late-round pick, the 49ers wouldn't have a ton invested while bringing in a player with big-time upside at a premium position.
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This article originally appeared on Niners Wire: NFL draft: OT Travis Burke to meet with San Francisco 49ers in person