49ers selected Fordham OT Nick Zakelj with the No. 187 overall pick in the 2022 NFL Draft.
Zakelj (6'6/316) was a four-year starter with Fordham and a first-team All-Patriot League selection three years in a row, playing both left and right tackle. Zakelj has an NFL body and good athleticism (9.45 RAS), showing above-average dexterity with his feet and his hands. He can redirect weight quickly to mirror oncoming rushers and shows good speed and skill with his hands. He can play a bit too high, though, and while he can move fine his footwork and balance let him down. He is also significantly more polished in the run game than the passing game (67.3 pass block grade vs. 78.1 run block grade in 2021 per PFF), and some of his worst tape is in pass protection against less than elite competition. He does have a mean streak that NFL GMs love to see in their linemen, finishing blocks all the way through and playing through the whistle. Combine that attitude with an NFL body, and Zakelj has a chance to do some damage in the league.
