The 49ers boast the NFL’s highest-paid and greatest offensive lineman in left sort out Trent Williams.
To his proper are … questions.
The April 28-30 draft gives solutions, except previous draft picks step up on an offensive line that should defend quarterback Trey Lance and block for an ever-mystical run recreation.
Is Aaron Banks, final 12 months’s second-round choice, prepared to begin at left guard after Laken Tomlinson’s exit to the New York Jets?
What concerning the different two inside spots, the place middle Alex Mack and proper guard Daniel Brunskill don’t have long-term commitments?
Proper sort out Mike McGlinchey is poised for a comeback 12 months, in his contract 12 months, however what about 2023 and past?
The 49ers didn't strike in free company to handle these questions. They've 9 picks to assist rectify that. Right here is how the draft crop seems:
CENTERS OF ATTENTION
Mack is headed to retirement ultimately, although he solely joined the 49ers a 12 months in the past and appears able to taking part in out the subsequent two years of his contract. May he return in 2022 and assist groom a drafted successor?
Iowa captain Tyler Linderbaum gained the Rimington Award as school soccer’s prime middle, so he could be the one one well worth the 49ers’ prime choose, that being within the second spherical, the place they took middle Jeremy Newberry in 1998.
Then once more, Nebraska’s Cam Jurgens has the endorsement of ex-49ers star Joe Staley, who stated on KNBR final month: “He blew up the mix, examined out of this world. Superior, superior man. I’m going to attempt to name (offensive line coach) Chris Foerster and speak about him. He could be an absolute excellent match as a middle on this zone scheme. His athleticism is unreal.”
Different facilities on the radar: Luke Fortner (Kentucky; has masters in aerospace engineering), Dylan Parham (Memphis; one other ex-tight finish who’s performed all O-line spots), Cam Unusual (Chattanooga; Terrell Owens’ alma mater).
THE GUARD SHACK
A 12 months in the past, the 49ers spent a second-round choose on Banks, an All-American left guard from Notre Dame who basically redshirted his 2021 rookie season. Banks ought to get first crack at changing Tomlinson, and Daniel Brunskill might return at proper guard. In any other case, the alternate options on the inside are Jake Brendel, Colton McKivitiz and Jaylon Moore.
Prime guards to look at: Zion Johnson (Boston School), Unusual (Chattanooga), Parham (Memphis); Luke Goedete (Central Michigan), Logan Bruss (Wisconsin), Darian Kinnard (Kentucky), Sean Rhyan (UCLA).
TACKLE SUCCESSION
Williams is conceivably locked in for at the very least two extra seasons, however McGlinchey is getting into the fifth and closing season of his rookie contract and he’s doing so in higher form after 2021 quadriceps surgical procedure. However, the 49ers might need to groom successors, apart from present backups Moore, Justin Skule, and Alfredo Gutierrez, a global prospect.
Staley, who's believed to be consulting for the 49ers, has accomplished pre-draft work with Bernhard Raimann (Central Michigan) and Abraham Lucas (Washington State).
NFL Community draft analyst Daniel Jeremiah is intrigued by Louisiana’s Max Mitchell, who might reunite with 49ers’ 2021 rookie speeding sensation Elijah Mitchell.
“He’s a extremely good athlete, and he’s bought the power to succeed in and seal guys within the run recreation,” Jeremiah stated. “You concentrate on the run recreation with the Niners and what they ask of these guys movement-wise, he’d be up for the problem. He can actually transfer. He could be a enjoyable one, I believe, that might match rather well there.”
Reminder: the 49ers shouldn't have a primary spherical choose, and that spherical figures to incorporate prime tackles Ikem Ekwonu (N.C. State) Evan Neal (Alabama), Charles Cross (Mississippi State) and Trevor Penning (Northern Iowa). However at No. 61, maybe the 49ers go after Raimann, Lucas, or Tyler Smith (Tulsa).
DRAFT PICKS
Spherical One (none), Two (No. 61 total), Three (Nos. 93, 105), 4 (No. 134), 5 (No. 172), Six (Nos. 187, 220, 221), Seven (No. 262).