49ers Select Defensive Tackle Arik Armstead With 17th Pick
SANTA CLARA (CBS SF) – With the 17th pick in the NFL draft Thursday night, the San Francisco 49ers selected Arik Armstead, a defensive tackle from the University of Oregon.
Unlike recent years, the 49ers have many holes to fill, and the defensive line was among them. Armstead fits a need and should eventually fill it well. Eventually being the key word there.
He's a big drink of water at 6-7, 292. He only had 2.5 sacks in 2014, but had 16 quarterback pressures. The knock on Armstead was that his stats and size should have produced more results. He could probably use a little bulk and is projected by some NFL experts as a raw player who might not be an immediate impact player.
Here is what one scout told nj.com. "Talented and big as hell. He's the one guy I've had a hard time grading. You watch him and you see the talent of a first-round pick. But then he plays like a fourth-round pick."
On the bright side, Armstead played four positions on the Ducks defensive line and was among the most athletic players in the draft.
If Justin Smith plays one more year, you've got offensive linemen that have to deal with Darnell Dockett, Justin Smith, and Aldon Smith. This could work in Armstead's favor to be a higher impact player early.
On my football scale of 5 footballs, I give this a 3.5.
