49ers select DE Arik Armstead after trading down 2 spots
Jaime Valdez / USA TODAY Sports
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The San Francisco 49ers have selected defensive end Arik Armstead out of Oregon with the 17th overall pick in the 2015 NFL Draft.
The 49ers got their man and added extra draft picks in the process after a trade with the San Diego Chargers pushed them down two spots to 17.
Armstead will be an immediate replacement for Ray McDonald who signed with the Chicago Bears in March. The massive athlete has huge upside and has drawn comparisons to standout Arizona Cardinals defensive end Calais Campbell.
Arik Armstead Bio
Position: DE
School: Oregon
College Experience: Junior
Height: 6-7
Weight: 292 lbs.
Age: 21
Combine Results
| Event | Result |
|---|---|
| 40-yd Dash | 5.10 sec |
| Bench Press | 24 reps |
| Vertical Jump | 34 inches |
| Broad Jump | 117 inches |
| 3-Cone Drill | 7.57 sec |
| 20-yd Shuttle | 4.53 sec |
Strengths
- Size. Is a beast at 6-7, 292 lbs. and teams looking for a versatile, strong end will find it hard to resist his physical attributes.
- Powerful hands allow him to wrap up runners and quarterbacks alike and shed blockers who allow him to get his paws on them.
- Is unstoppable when able to get linemen off balance with an outside rush move before bull rushing with elite power and leg drive.
- Has developed quickly, showing marked improvement from 2013 to 2014.
Weaknesses
- Lacks speed off the edge to be a true pass rushing presence.
- Does not possess an arsenal of rush moves. Needs to develop counter moves to what savvy tackles will be throwing at him at the next level.
- His measurables did not translate to production at the collegiate level, a major concern for a prospect already knocked for being too raw.
- Despite immense power, he is not skilled enough to get consistent pocket pressure like an elite DT, not quick enough to consistently win outside.