The San Francisco 49ers haven't invested significant early-round draft capital in their offensive line in recent years. The last time the team used a first- or second-round pick on an offensive lineman was in 2021, when it selected guard Aaron Banks in the second round. The last time the 49ers drafted a tackle in the first two rounds was in 2018 with first-round pick Mike McGlinchey.
It's a position group that many feel the 49ers have long ignored, refusing to use premium picks to upgrade the unit, opting instead to develop mid-round talent or lean on veteran solutions.
It remains to be seen how general manager John Lynch and head coach Kyle Shanahan view the incoming rookie offensive linemen. However, two 2026 NFL mock drafts project the 49ers using their first-round selection to prepare for life after All-Pro left tackle Trent Williams.
In his mock draft for CBS Sports, Garrett Podell has the 49ers selecting Georgia offensive tackle Monroe Freeling with the No. 27 overall pick.
"Twelve-time Pro Bowl left tackle Trent Williams will be 38 years old by the time the 2026 season rolls around, and he can't play forever," Podell wrote. "Freeling could be a nice apprentice for Williams after being Georgia's full-time left tackle in 2025. The size and agility are there, and he's quick off the line of scrimmage."
Freeling (6-7, 315) earned an 85.7 pass-blocking grade from Pro Football Focus (PFF) in 2025, allowing just three sacks and nine pressures across 469 pass-blocking snaps. While his 61.7 run-blocking grade dipped from his 71.4 mark in 2024, Podell believes the player can excel in that area at the NFL level.
"Freeling needs to work on being better about connecting on his punches toward opposing defensive linemen, which could be aided by a more balanced foundation in his core," Podell added. "He's ready to roll in the run game."
In his mock draft for Pro Football and Sports Network, Josh Weil has the 49ers selecting Alabama offensive tackle Kadyn Proctor in the first round.
"There aren't many people on earth who are 6-foot-7 and 360 pounds, and are both athletic and skilled enough to be dominant in the SEC," Weil wrote. "Kaydn Proctor was a five-star recruit who lived up to the hype. He overpowers defenders and has impressive athleticism."
Proctor posted strong PFF marks in 2025, earning an 86.1 overall offensive grade, an 81.1 run-blocking grade, and an 84.2 pass-blocking grade. He surrendered 21 pressures but just two sacks over 611 pass-blocking snaps, and his combination of size and athleticism will undoubtedly intrigue several NFL teams.
"If Proctor masters his technique, he could end up as a top player from this draft class and help San Francisco stay among the top teams in the league," Weil noted.
With Williams set to turn 38 ahead of the 2026 season, the 49ers may finally be forced to prioritize the offensive tackle position early in the 2026 NFL Draft.