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2020 NFL Draft: 5 First-round candidates for the 49ers

By Nicholas McGee

C.J. Henderson, Florida Gators. (Getty Images)
C.J. Henderson, Florida Gators. (Getty Images) /
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ATLANTA, GEORGIA – DECEMBER 28: Center Lloyd Cushenberry III #79 of the LSU Tigers celebrates during the game against the Oklahoma Sooners in the Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on December 28, 2019 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)
ATLANTA, GEORGIA – DECEMBER 28: Center Lloyd Cushenberry III #79 of the LSU Tigers celebrates during the game against the Oklahoma Sooners in the Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on December 28, 2019 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images) /

Lloyd Cushenberry III, IOL, LSU

The interior of the 49ers’ offensive line was exposed in their Super Bowl collapse. Kansas City Chiefs defensive tackle Chris Jones consistently had his way with right guard Mike Person, highlighting the need for an upgrade.

Cushenberry played center for LSU but projects better as a guard at the next level. He has the athleticism to slot seamlessly into Person’s position for the 49ers.

He possesses excellent athleticism and is extremely comfortable with the type of zone-blocking concepts that are a staple of the Kyle Shanahan scheme.

Shanahan does not typically spend significant capital on guards. The center is the more important position in his system and both Person and left guard Laken Tomlinson were acquired on the cheap.

This may be the year to deviate from that approach. Settling for average at right guard proved costly for the Niners in Miami and adding a prospect of Cushenberry’s caliber to the trenches should be under serious consideration.

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