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The San Francisco 49ers have a situation on their hands at the right tackle position this offseason, with starter Mike McGlinchey expecting to command a high salary as a free agent.
McGlinchey, 28, is coming off a season where he proved durable following a torn quadriceps injury in 2021, and enters free agency as one of, if not the top tackles on the market.
That has several fans questioning whether a McGlinchey return is realistic, especially with the other positions that San Francisco should look to address in the offseason, as well as the right tackle's inconsistent play this offseason.
An option that recently hit the market is former Tennessee Titans left tackle Taylor Lewan, who was released, as expected, earlier Wednesday to clear up $14 million in cap space.
Lewan, 32, is coming off an ACL tear, and has suffered two over the past three seasons.
Should the 49ers go after Taylor Lewan at right tackle?
First of all, let's make it clear. Taylor Lewan would not be an upgrade over the 28-year-old McGlinchey, who is younger, more durable, and proven to be more effective in recent years, but the former also would come at a significantly cheaper price, given the listed factors.
In fact, Lewan has a connection to tight end George Kittle, as the pair have been friends for a while, with the latter joining the former's podcast recently.
But, there is an underlying factor that cannot be forgotten: Lewan has explicitly stated he does not desire to play right tackle.
"To me, honestly, I never thought anything of it because I know I'm not a right tackle," Lewan said, via The Tennessean. "I'm a left tackle. I knew I was the left tackle for this team and I knew once I had the opportunity to talk to Mr. (Jon) Robinson and Coach (Mike) Mularkey that they would hear my piece and where I was from."
However, if Lewan were open to playing the position, there is a conversation to be had about potentially bringing him in to compete.
Should he sign a cheaper, incentive-laden deal, Lewan wouldn't be a bad option to compete with Colton McKivitz and a potential rookie to see the talent differences between the players.
Still, that is dependent on an extremely cheap deal to provide the 49ers flexibility with an injury-prone player, and it's unclear whether Lewan would choose a position change if he continues playing in the NFL.
At the moment, I would shy away from the deal if it doesn't fit the circumstances, but it would be a low-risk, solid-reward deal for the 49ers if Lewan does take a cheaper contract that provides the team with a body at a position that they need depth at.
49ers sign WR Trent Taylor, reuniting with former draft pick
By David Bonilla
Apr 16
The San Francisco 49ers announced the signing of wide receiver Trent Taylor to a one-year deal, reuniting with the team's former fifth-round draft pick out of Louisiana Tech.
Matt Maiocco of NBC Sports Bay Area was the first to report that the 49ers were discussing a potential reunion with Taylor. The receiver was part of head coach Kyle Shanahan and general manager John Lynch's first draft class in 2017 and spent his first four NFL seasons with the team.
The #49ers are talking with free-agent slot receiver/return man
Trent Taylor snatches up 49ers star receiver's old number
By David Bonilla
Apr 19
San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Deebo Samuel will be wearing No. 1 the next time he steps onto the football field, leaving behind his No. 19 jersey. It's an unfortunate change for any fan who previously invested in a Deebo jersey—unless they consider it a throwback.
Newly signed wide receiver Trent Taylor quickly claimed No. 19 after rejoining the team on a one-year deal following three seasons elsewhere. Taylor last wore No. 15 with the 49ers, a number currently worn by wide receiver Jauan Jennings. Taylor also wore No. 81 with the team.
The 49ers' official team site has listed the jersey numbers for several of the team's free-agent newcomers (and Maliek Collins, acquired via a
Mock draft season is drawing to a close, and NFL Media analyst Charles Davis turned in his third and final installment ahead of the 2024 NFL Draft, set to commence tomorrow in Detroit.
It's widely anticipated that the San Francisco 49ers will bolster their offensive line with the No. 31 overall pick, and Davis doesn't stray from this expectation. With talents like Amarius Mims and Tyler Guyton off the board, Davis sees general manager John Lynch and his team selecting former Washington offensive tackle Roger Rosengarten.
"Having gone without a first-round pick in each of the past two drafts, the
NFL Nation mock draft sees 49ers pivoting after run on tackles
By David Bonilla
Apr 23
ESPN recently conducted a mock draft involving its NFL Nation reporters, where each assumed the general manager role for the team they cover. This unique process benefits from selectors who are intimately aware of each team's needs.
The San Francisco 49ers are expected to address their offensive line with the No. 31 overall pick, marking the team's first first-round selection since 2021. Nick Wagoner, acting as general manager John Lynch, had to adapt his plan based on earlier selections taking several offensive tackles off draft boards.
With those options gone, Wagoner opted for former Missouri pass rusher Darius
