Draft Grade: 49ers trade up for Kansas offensive lineman

The 49ers got Brock Purdy an offensive lineman, and they traded up to do it. San Francisco moved picks 93 and 132 for pick 86, and selected Kansas offensive lineman Dominick Puni.

Puni transferred into Kansas from Central Missouri, and allowed just four pressures last season. He has a high pass protection floor, and impressive length and strength in the run game.

He looked excellent at the Senior Bowl, though his height could be taken advantage of, with a lack of bend. It's understandable given that he's used to staying outside. He has that length and strength to seriously redirect players in the run game.

When watching Kansas State edge rusher Khalid Duke, Puni showed up consistently for his ability to drive and redirect edge rushers in the run game. He offers an immediate power punch to a right guard spot seriously lacking it.

What this pick does, immediately, is upgrade the 49ers' offensive line. They missed on their chance for Roger Rosengarten, and while Puni, again, profiles at guard (as he and John Lynch stated explicitly), he has more than enough play strength to play tackle in a pinch, as Puni literally put it. His 303-pound weigh in evidences a tall, lean frame, but he does not look light on tape.

DRAFT GRADE: B-

One knock on Puni is his mediocre speed, but it's not damning, and is more than made up for by elite short area quickness and explosive talent. He pummels some players in the run game, and should, if the pick is worthwhile, start for the 49ers at right guard this season.

This is at least an investment in the offensive line, and brings in a positionally flexible player to do it. The options on offensive line were increasingly limited, and that trade up premium was evidence of that. There are arguments to be made for the likes of Mason McCormick, or Tanor Bortolini, but Puni is a solid, perhaps not quite sexy pick.