Videos are auto-populated by an affiliate. This site has no control over the videos that appear above.
The San Francisco 49ers have some weak points along the offensive line. It's tough to dispute that. Three of the team's starters—Jake Brendel, Colton McKivitz, and Aaron Banks—received overall Pro Football Focus grades under 70.0. Clearly, this is an area that could use improvement during the offseason.
NFL Media's Daniel Jeremiah proposes just that in his latest mock draft, predicting the 49ers will select offensive lineman Graham Barton out of Duke with the No. 31 overall pick.
"A left tackle at Duke, Barton would slide inside to guard and has the athleticism to do all that is required in Kyle Shanahan's scheme," Jeremiah wrote.
Barton is the last of 10 offensive linemen Jeremiah projects to be drafted in the first round. In 2022, the Duke prospect achieved career-high grades in overall (88.2), run-blocking (86.9), and pass-blocking (85.1) from Pro Football Focus.
During the 2023 season, the 6-foot-5, 314-pound offensive lineman allowed 11 pressures, nine hurries, and two sacks in 258 pass-blocking snaps, earning a 75.9 overall grade, 71.2 run-blocking grade, and 78.2 pass-blocking grade from Pro Football Focus while missing three games with injuries.
Barton earned All-ACC First Team honors twice (in 2022 and 2023), appearing in 40 games throughout his collegiate career.
The NFL Draft is set to take place in Detroit, Michigan, kicking off on April 25th.
Comments
More San Francisco 49ers News
Kyle Shanahan defends 49ers prioritizing skill positions over upgrading O-line
By David Bonilla
Jul 24
The San Francisco 49ers frustrated many fans by not using one of their top draft selections on an offensive lineman. General manager John Lynch and head coach Kyle Shanahan eventually added an offensive lineman, but not until the third round, when Dominick Puni was...
Tom Pelissero says 49ers' Brock Purdy has been a top-10 QB the past two years
By Marc Adams
Jul 20
When ESPN released its list of top-10 NFL quarterbacks, based on votes by nearly 80 league executives, coaches, and scouts, one name was missing that many believed should have been included. Whenever there's a list such as this, there will always be players not included who...
The United Football League (UFL) kicked off its 2024 draft today, and four San Francisco 49ers players were selected by the spring league. Running back Cody Schrader, defensive lineman Evan Anderson, offensive lineman Braison Mays, and quarterback Tanner Mordecai were among...
Fred Warner on 49ers legend Patrick Willis: "That's what I'm always chasing"
By David Bonilla
Jul 24
Patrick Willis is set to be enshrined in the Pro Football Hall of Fame as part of the Class of 2024. Willis spent his entire distinguished NFL career with the San Francisco 49ers, who made him the No. 11 overall pick in the 2007 NFL Draft. Over his eight NFL seasons, he...
