The San Francisco 49ers are widely expected to fortify the trenches in this week's draft, utilizing some of their 10 selections to add to the offensive and defensive lines. According to Matt Maiocco of NBC Sports Bay Area, the team recently welcomed two Texas A&M linemen for pre-draft visits: Layden Robinson, an offensive guard, and McKinnley Jackson, a defensive tackle. Both are anticipated to be drafted on Day 3.
"And then here are three names that have not been reported that have visited the 49ers, but I've been told that these guys all visited and they're third-day picks," Maiocco said on his "49ers Talk" podcast. "Two guys from Texas A&M, one a guard, Layden Robinson, and one a defensive tackle, McKinnley Jackson. And those are positions where the 49ers would probably look in that Day 3 range of guys."
The third player mentioned is former Florida State wide receiver Johnny Wilson, whom Maiocco actually reported about last week.
"Tall guy. Like 6-6, 230 pounds," Maiocco said of Wilson. "And I'm just kind of wondering, would they view him as potentially a tight end? Because the 49ers will be looking to draft a tight end, I would assume, having lost out on Brock Wright from the Lions."
As for the two unreported prospects, Robinson is expected to be selected in the fourth or fifth round, while Jackson is projected to go in the sixth round.
Last month, the 49ers made significant changes to their defensive line, parting ways with veteran Arik Armstead, acquiring Maliek Collins, and signing free agent Jordan Elliott. They continued to strengthen the defensive front by adding pass rushers Leonard Floyd and Yetur Gross-Matos, allowing Chase Young to depart in free agency.
However, the offensive line has received less attention so far, and the 49ers could look to fortify the right side of the unit, which was widely viewed as a weakness this past season. Robinson played all 2,119 snaps of his collegiate career at right guard and allowed only one sack and 16 pressures through 401 pass-blocking snaps last season.
Jackson registered 27 tackles, including 5.5 for a loss, three sacks, and a forced fumble through 12 game appearances as a senior in 2023, per Sports Reference. Throughout his collegiate career, he recorded 91 tackles, including 15.5 for a loss, 7.5 sacks, two passes defensed, and a forced fumble over four seasons.
Visit our pre-draft tracker for a comprehensive overview of all reported formal and informal meetings between the 49ers and prospective NFL rookies.
The 2024 NFL Draft will take place in Detroit, Michigan, from Thursday through Saturday.
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