While news of Arik Armstead's impending release could potentially alter the San Francisco 49ers' draft strategy, we'll first have to wait to see how the team addresses its defensive front in free agency. Assuming the 49ers brain trust has a plan in place and can execute it properly, that would leave them free to address the offensive line next month.
In the latest mock draft by analytics site Pro Football Focus, the 49ers are projected to do just that, with former Alabama tackle JC Latham falling to them at No. 31 overall.
"Admittedly, this is a dream scenario for the 49ers," analyst Dalton Wasserman wrote in the pre-free agency mock draft. "They need to upgrade on the offensive line, and the massive Latham would be a steal. He finished 2023 with the eighth-best overall grade among college tackles and allowed just two sacks across nearly 1,900 pass-blocking reps during his career in Tuscaloosa."
Latham played 1,749 offensive snaps over the past two seasons with the Crimson Tide, all of which were spent at right tackle. His aforementioned two sacks occurred last year, and the offensive lineman allowed just 14 pressures in 443 pass-blocking snaps, per Pro Football Focus.
In comparison, the 49ers' starting right tackle in 2023, Colton McKivitz, struggled, allowing a team-high 59 pressures and nine sacks in 696 pass-blocking snaps last season.
The 2024 NFL Draft will take place in Detroit, Michigan, from Thursday, April 25, through Saturday, April 27.
