The San Francisco 49ers hold the 11th overall pick in the 2025 NFL Draft, presenting a valuable opportunity to address one of the team's longstanding needs: the offensive line. Many fans would welcome the 49ers using their top pick to fortify the front, particularly with an eye toward the future.
Left tackle Trent Williams, widely regarded as one of the best at his position, will be 37 at the start of the 2025 season. He missed the final seven games of 2024 due to an ankle injury, though the team remains optimistic about his return next season.
"Trent's doing well," general manager John Lynch said last week. "He had a bruise in the ankle joint, and it probably took a little longer than anyone anticipated. But sometimes that happens. And the good news is it's taken a positive turn.
"Trent's mindset is where it always is, and he's still very interested in and being a great player that he is. And I think he's still got a lot left in the tank. So Trent's as committed as ever, and we love having Trent Williams a part of us."
Planning for life after Williams is inevitable, and Walter Cherepinsky of Walter Football recently projected the 49ers to do just that. In his latest mock draft, Cherepinsky has the 49ers selecting Arizona offensive tackle Jonah Savaiinaea as Williams' eventual replacement.
"The 49ers desperately need offensive line help," Cherepinsky wrote. "They have no successor for Trent Williams. Jonah [Savaiinaea] is a quick blocker with plus athleticism."
Savaiinaea's versatility and production make him an intriguing option for the 49ers. He has experience at both left and right tackle and was the Arizona Wildcats' highest-graded offensive lineman in 2024, earning a 74.3 overall grade from Pro Football Focus.
Savaiinaea's pass-blocking stood out, achieving a career-high grade of 83.7. Over 478 pass-blocking snaps, he allowed just four sacks and 15 pressures. At 6-foot-5 and over 330 pounds, his frame is reminiscent of Williams, adding to the appeal.
Last season, Savaiinaea logged 345 snaps at left tackle and 364 at right tackle, making him capable of filling in at either spot, potentially competing with Colton McKivitz for a starting role until Williams calls it a career.