Von Miller on 49ers’ Trent Brown: ‘He’s the best right tackle in the NFL’

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After the 49ers practiced against the Broncos in 2016, Denver’s Von Miller said Trent Brown was one of the “better tackles” in the NFL.

A year later, one of the league’s best pass-rushers has even stronger praise for the 49ers’ 6-foot-8, 355-pound right tackle.

“He’s the best right tackle in the National Football League,” Miller said Wednesday after the first of two joint practices with the 49ers. “And he may even be a top-five tackle, period, in the National Football League. There’s not another tackle who’s that tall, that big and can move the way he moves.”

Miller, a five-time Pro Bowl selection, and Brown actually renewed acquaintances in June. Miller invited Brown to a well-attended “Pass Rush Summit” at Stanford that included the Raiders’ Khalil Mack and Atlanta’s Vic Beasley, who led the NFL in sacks last year. Brown was the only offensive lineman at the summit.

“Just so he could soak in some of the information that we got,” Miller said. “And, from my point of view, we could get it from a premier offensive tackle point of view.”

On Wednesday, Brown, 24, held his own against Miller, 28, in one-on-one drills and the team periods. It was the latest sign Brown, a 2015 seventh-round pick with 18 career starts, could start to fully realize his vast potential ... and cash in after his rookie deal expires after the 2018 season.

“He’s great. He’s got a big future ahead. He’s going to have one of the biggest (contracts) for an offensive lineman,” Miller said. “...He’ll be as good as he wants to be. When he’s on, there’s not another tackle in the National Football League that’s as good as him.”

Miller was told he should be Brown’s agent. He laughed and insisted that wouldn’t be necessary: “He does a great job representing himself.”

Denver Broncos linebacker Von Miller (right) says of 49ers offensive tackle Trent Brown: “There’s not another tackle who’s that tall, that big and can move he way he moves.” Denver Broncos linebacker Von Miller (right) says of 49ers offensive tackle Trent Brown: “There’s not another tackle who’s that tall, that big and can move he way he moves.” Photo: Jack Dempsey, Associated Press Photo: Jack Dempsey, Associated Press Image 1 of / 1 Caption Close Von Miller on 49ers’ Trent Brown: ‘He’s the best right tackle in the NFL’ 1 / 1 Back to Gallery

Pleased with McDonald: Less than five months after tight end Vance McDonald was the subject of trade discussions, general manager John Lynch said the team is pleased with his performance in training camp.

McDonald played 37 snaps and didn’t have a catch in the preseason opener Friday against Kansas City. He was targeted with one pass.

“Even though it didn’t show up on the stat sheet, it’s as good as I’ve seen him block, and he did it consistently and he competed extremely hard,” Lynch said. “And so we were very proud of Vance.”

McDonald has been listed as the starter on the team’s unofficial depth chart. He could be fighting for a roster spot with a group that includes Garrett Celek, fifth-round pick George Kittle, Logan Paulsen and undrafted rookie Cole Hikutini.

McDonald is “competing in a very competitive room,” Lynch said. “I think that’s a room where someone is going to have to separate themselves. He’s a big part of that. So we’re very pleased with him right now.”

Roster moves: The 49ers waived/injured undrafted rookie linebacker Donavin Newsom (concussion), who spent two nights at Stanford Hospital after leaving the practice field in an ambulance last week.

Lynch said Newsom would be placed on the 49ers’ injured reserve if, as expected, he clears waivers.

“He’s doing better each day,” Lynch said. “…It’s the best thing for the kid. Give him time to really get right.”

The 49ers also waived/injured linebacker Jayson DiManche (hamstring).

Sapp sighting: Hall of Fame defensive tackle Warren Sapp worked with the 49ers’ defensive linemen Wednesday after he was invited by Lynch.

Lynch and Sapp were teammates with the Buccaneers from 1995 to 2003.

Eric Branch is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer.