The San Francisco 49ers feel confident in their offensive tackle situation heading into the 2025 season—so confident, in fact, that they chose not to address the position in this year's draft. However, analysts producing way-too-early 2026 mock drafts already foresee the team looking to bolster the offensive line next year.
Trent Williams isn't ready to call it quits just yet. But the soon-to-be 37-year-old left tackle isn't getting any younger and is coming off a season in which he missed the final seven games.
"I would love to play until I'm 40," Williams recently stated. "I would love to make it into that special group. But if it's not in my cards, it's not in my cards. But I'm gonna do everything physically possible. I'm gonna stay engaged."
He added, "I'm definitely not going to retire with some left in the tank."
In a new 2026 mock draft for Pro Football & Sports Network, analyst Joe DeLeone projects San Francisco selecting at No. 25 overall. With that pick, DeLeone has the 49ers taking Auburn offensive tackle Xavier Chaplin, who started his collegiate career at Virginia Tech.
"Xavier Chaplin possesses the length and physical play style to be an impactful starting offensive lineman in the NFL," Joe DeLeone wrote. "As Trent Williams ages out, an heir to his position should be on the San Francisco 49ers' radar for this draft."
Measuring 6-foot-7 and 338 pounds, Chaplin has ideal size for the position. For comparison, Williams is listed at 6-foot-5 and 320 pounds. He was an All-American in 2023 and an honorable mention All-ACC selection last season.
Last season, Chaplin earned a 70.4 run-blocking grade and a career-high 72.8 pass-blocking grade from Pro Football Focus, allowing two sacks and 13 pressures over 607 snaps while playing exclusively at left tackle. With scouts reportedly mixed on exactly where he fits in the upcoming draft, Chaplin will look to raise his stock during the upcoming college football season.
DeLeone's three-round mock draft also projects the 49ers using their second-round pick on LSU wide receiver Barion Brown and their third-round selection on Indiana defensive end Mikail Kamara.