OL 2026 draft class discussion

^ NY finding all the gems like usual. Thorn is my go to for OL

This is the kind of class where I do some talent could be had throughout. I agree with these guys that the grades will be all over the place and that may cause some of the guys we like to slip. Lynch and Shanny like to do the opposite of consensus thinking so because this isn't a class known for OL, watch them dip into it more than once, when we should be doing that for DBs and WRs with how stacked the class is there.

Thorn is pretty low on this class overall. 3 OL with a 1st rd grade. IMO this draft class overall is pretty lack luster. 3 best guys are a S, RB and OLBer

I think some draft grades for guys end of the 1st and on day 2 aren't that different.

If the 49ers don't invest in the OL, Seattle is going to push in their s**t again in next season. MacDonald's defense is built around winning with 4 DL, sitting in nickel, and choking out the run. If your OL can't handle a 4-man front, you're playing right into his hands. It's goin to be long-yardage situations, muddy pockets, and a run game that never gets going all day while they sit in 2-high shell and dictate terms all day.

McVay saw this coming awhile back and built a wall of hogs up front. They went after guys that traditionally weren't a fit for his scheme. I'm talking 330+ pound guards and 350+ pound tackles. Since Seattle wants to live in nickel, McVay countered by punishing them with more gap and power behind his massive OL straight at the light box and forcing DBs to tackle for four quarters. It worked--they averaged 5.2 yards per carry against Seattle in the NFCC.

This means that Shanahan MUST move away from lighter, purely athletic prototype and add serious mass inside if he's serious about beating MacDonald--big f**king guards who get vertical push and anchor against power. A bigger, nastier interior not only helps the run game--it keeps the pocket clean for Brock. If Seattle can rush 4 and control the line, you're allowing them to dictate the terms. If Niners must build a wall of hogs that can move people, the entire chess match dynamic changes.

I highly suggest this video to anyone interested in learning how McVay adjusted his offense---especially in the OL--to counter modern defenses:

Originally posted by Heroism:
If the 49ers don't invest in the OL, Seattle is going to push in their s**t again in next season. MacDonald's defense is built around winning with 4 DL, sitting in nickel, and choking out the run. If your OL can't handle a 4-man front, you're playing right into his hands. It's goin to be long-yardage situations, muddy pockets, and a run game that never gets going all day while they sit in 2-high shell and dictate terms all day.

McVay saw this coming awhile back and built a wall of hogs up front. They went after guys that traditionally weren't a fit for his scheme. I'm talking 330+ pound guards and 350+ pound tackles. Since Seattle wants to live in nickel, McVay countered by punishing them with more gap and power behind his massive OL straight at the light box and forcing DBs to tackle for four quarters. It worked--they averaged 5.2 yards per carry against Seattle in the NFCC.

This means that Shanahan MUST move away from lighter, purely athletic prototype and add serious mass inside if he's serious about beating MacDonald--big f**king guards who get vertical push and anchor against power. A bigger, nastier interior not only helps the run game--it keeps the pocket clean for Brock. If Seattle can rush 4 and control the line, you're allowing them to dictate the terms. If Niners must build a wall of hogs that can move people, the entire chess match dynamic changes.

I highly suggest this video to anyone interested in learning how McVay adjusted his offense---especially in the OL--to counter modern defenses:

They just need to do what Payton did years ago in New Orleans and build a massive wall inside to give Purdy a consistent pocket and be able to get push up the middle. Some powerful guards that are people movers along with a center that can hold their own. The days of guys like Bartch and Brendel being "good enough" are over.

Going with big people and running more 12 and 22 personnel will also help which is why I'm in favor of drafting someone like Likely and drafting Roush at TE.

Originally posted by NYniner85:
Thorn is pretty low on this class overall. 3 OL with a 1st rd grade. IMO this draft class overall is pretty lack luster. 3 best guys are a S, RB and OLBer

I think some draft grades for guys end of the 1st and on day 2 aren't that different.

There's not a lot of top level talent but theres some depth, especially on the interior. If Kyle didn't have a weird aversion to rookie centers then a guy like Lew, even Slaughter could step in as rookies and likely do better than Brendel.

Originally posted by NYniner85:

The 2026 OL class is going to cause wild variance on draft weekend.@dpbrugler + I broke down the top tier, the ceiling bets, and the best Day 3 gambles.

Notes Pack PDF + full video on Substack. Full audio on Apple.

Link: https://t.co/S1m8QipkcP pic.twitter.com/7N90vFPfER

— Brandon Thorn (@BrandonThornNFL) February 12, 2026

You know who else used to post paywall Thorn sites?

Originally posted by Phoenix49ers:

Originally posted by NYniner85:
Thorn is pretty low on this class overall. 3 OL with a 1st rd grade. IMO this draft class overall is pretty lack luster. 3 best guys are a S, RB and OLBer

I think some draft grades for guys end of the 1st and on day 2 aren't that different.

There's not a lot of top level talent but theres some depth, especially on the interior. If Kyle didn't have a weird aversion to rookie centers then a guy like Lew, even Slaughter could step in as rookies and likely do better than Brendel.

That s**t is beyond frustrating. Makes me think what could have been with Creed or Frazier .

Originally posted by Hoovtrain:

Originally posted by Phoenix49ers:

Originally posted by NYniner85:
Thorn is pretty low on this class overall. 3 OL with a 1st rd grade. IMO this draft class overall is pretty lack luster. 3 best guys are a S, RB and OLBer

I think some draft grades for guys end of the 1st and on day 2 aren't that different.

There's not a lot of top level talent but theres some depth, especially on the interior. If Kyle didn't have a weird aversion to rookie centers then a guy like Lew, even Slaughter could step in as rookies and likely do better than Brendel.

That s**t is beyond frustrating. Makes me think what could have been with Creed or Frazier .

Don't forget Graham Barton. Tampa's O-line gave up a combined 1 sack in their win vs Seattle.

Originally posted by Kolohe:
Don't forget Graham Barton. Tampa's O-line gave up a combined 1 sack in their win vs Seattle.

Eh he wasnt so good. Room for improvement but his career has been rocky so far. Both Frazier and Humphrey have been Top 5 NFL centers from the jump.

Originally posted by Phoenix49ers:

Originally posted by Kolohe:
Don't forget Graham Barton. Tampa's O-line gave up a combined 1 sack in their win vs Seattle.

Eh he wasnt so good. Room for improvement but his career has been rocky so far. Both Frazier and Humphrey have been Top 5 NFL centers from the jump.

Point was, Tampa's O-line seemed to be the only O-line to hold up vs Seattle.

I am intrigued with Austen Barber, specifically to move inside to LG, with the potential to slide out to LT in the future.

He played LT in the SEC, he is one of the top run blockers in this class, and he could be available in the 2nd - 3rd round.

Thoughts on Austen Barber from the OL gurus?

Originally posted by Hoovtrain:

Originally posted by NYniner85:

The 2026 OL class is going to cause wild variance on draft weekend.@dpbrugler + I broke down the top tier, the ceiling bets, and the best Day 3 gambles.

Notes Pack PDF + full video on Substack. Full audio on Apple.

Link: https://t.co/S1m8QipkcP pic.twitter.com/7N90vFPfER

— Brandon Thorn (@BrandonThornNFL) February 12, 2026

You know who else used to post paywall Thorn sites?

Wonder how he's doing??

Max Iheanachor is probably the best long term fit for the post-Williams OL. Most likely they would need to use #27 to get him or a slight trade down, but I doubt he gets past the bad teams in the early 2nd round.