OL 2026 draft class discussion

I just had this conversation with somebody at work talking about Max Iheanachor. "=them

I like Max Iheanachor
"We can't draft Max Iheanachor because where would he start?"

uh, tackle?
"Trent will be back and we've got Colton McKivitz."

so, have McKivitz and Iheanachor compete? McKivitz can move to guard or go to the bench for all I care. Having a stout right tackle is pivotal, especially when you're protecting Brock. It's a position you can never be too good at.
"McKivitz is really good. Did you see his PFF grades?"

No, but I saw 33-year-old Demarcus Lawrence whooping the s**t out of McKivitz in back-to-back matchups against Seattle.


I'm so tired of the "good enough" mentality when it comes to the OL. McKivitz is mediocre-to-solid, but solid shouldn't prevent the team from potentially upgrading, especially a premium position.

And didn't Shanahan say, McKivitz could play every position on the O-line. Why not put McKivitz at LG and Iheanchor at RT? Also part of me is getting tired of Trent Williams wanting more money every other year. And I wouldn't mind seeing them taking a LT in the 1st or 2nd round. But the other part of me wants to see him stay a 9er and continue this run.

I understand what you are saying, but realistically McKivitz has 3 years left on his deal. Maybe 2 if you are okay absorbing 9 mil in cap hits. And hes not a guard. He's long and lean. He doesnt have the sand in the pants. And you'd be paying him 11 mil to play guard.

Do we need a future starting tackle? Yes. Would I be mad about drafting one? No. But we do have other needs and sometimes you take on risk when the window is open. If you had a guy that were confident could play guard for a year, I think its easier to buy in.

Originally posted by scooterhd:
I understand what you are saying, but realistically McKivitz has 3 years left on his deal. Maybe 2 if you are okay absorbing 9 mil in cap hits. And hes not a guard. He's long and lean. He doesnt have the sand in the pants. And you'd be paying him 11 mil to play guard.

Do we need a future starting tackle? Yes. Would I be mad about drafting one? No. But we do have other needs and sometimes you take on risk when the window is open. If you had a guy that were confident could play guard for a year, I think its easier to buy in.

The 49ers always draft for need over BPA. That's exactly why they're in the position of having zero impact players that are 25 years old or younger.

But you're right. Only I would have the blame to carry for expecting them to something different. They are exactly who they are and aren't going to change.

Originally posted by Heroism:
I just had this conversation with somebody at work talking about Max Iheanachor. "=them

I like Max Iheanachor
"We can't draft Max Iheanachor because where would he start?"

uh, tackle?
"Trent will be back and we've got Colton McKivitz."

so, have McKivitz and Iheanachor compete? McKivitz can move to guard or go to the bench for all I care. Having a stout right tackle is pivotal, especially when you're protecting Brock. It's a position you can never be too good at.
"McKivitz is really good. Did you see his PFF grades?"

No, but I saw 33-year-old Demarcus Lawrence whooping the s**t out of McKivitz in back-to-back matchups against Seattle.

pic.twitter.com/WSXkQ2A0io

Nick Emmanwori recovers Brock Purdy's fumble for no gain

(Forced by DeMarcus Lawrence)

— Seahawks Content Archive (@seahawkscore88) January 18, 2026

DeMarcus Lawrence runs through McKivitz and McCaffrey and busts this 4th & 1 play up. Skyy Moore was coming open for the deep shot but no chance to make that throw for Purdy pic.twitter.com/a5qhqyCzmg

— MikeyT_FF (@FfMikeyt) January 4, 2026

I'm so tired of the "good enough" mentality when it comes to the OL. McKivitz is mediocre-to-solid, but solid shouldn't prevent the team from potentially upgrading, especially a premium position.

he was statistically one of the better RT last year in football that may speak to the whole nfl how the OL performed but his pass block win rate and pressure allowed was one of the better ones. I mean wasnt he top 4 in All Pro votes this year?

Originally posted by Heroism:
I just had this conversation with somebody at work talking about Max Iheanachor. "=them

I like Max Iheanachor
"We can't draft Max Iheanachor because where would he start?"

uh, tackle?
"Trent will be back and we've got Colton McKivitz."

so, have McKivitz and Iheanachor compete? McKivitz can move to guard or go to the bench for all I care. Having a stout right tackle is pivotal, especially when you're protecting Brock. It's a position you can never be too good at.
"McKivitz is really good. Did you see his PFF grades?"

No, but I saw 33-year-old Demarcus Lawrence whooping the s**t out of McKivitz in back-to-back matchups against Seattle.

pic.twitter.com/WSXkQ2A0io

Nick Emmanwori recovers Brock Purdy's fumble for no gain

(Forced by DeMarcus Lawrence)

— Seahawks Content Archive (@seahawkscore88) January 18, 2026

DeMarcus Lawrence runs through McKivitz and McCaffrey and busts this 4th & 1 play up. Skyy Moore was coming open for the deep shot but no chance to make that throw for Purdy pic.twitter.com/a5qhqyCzmg

— MikeyT_FF (@FfMikeyt) January 4, 2026

I'm so tired of the "good enough" mentality when it comes to the OL. McKivitz is mediocre-to-solid, but solid shouldn't prevent the team from potentially upgrading, especially a premium position.

Meh overall Colton was pretty good last yr. He would be a starting RT on a lot of teams. I believe they tried him at IOL and that s**t didn't work.

if anything toss Max in at LG and have him be the LT of the future.

the league as a whole is pretty s**t at OT, that's not an excuse just the truth. I mean Seattle's OTs aren't anything special, especially their RT.

I think SF needs to start taking more shots at OT and getting the funnel going to develop, at the very least.

Originally posted by Heroism:
The 49ers always draft for need over BPA. That's exactly why they're in the position of having zero impact players that are 25 years old or younger.

But you're right. Only I would have the blame to carry for expecting them to something different. They are exactly who they are and aren't going to change.

They will take a OT if the right one is there. Hasn't really been the case the past couple yrs (no one there)

imo this is not a great draft overall and the OTs are less than ideal. I don't want to draft an OT just because he plays the position.

I will say Brock had one of the longest TTT in the league this year. No one was getting open on the reg which hurts everything….I do agree we should always be adding talent to the OL.

As far as drafting BPA vs need. I think there's got to be some balance there. One issue is we've been so far off consensus with reaches and have next to nothing to show for those picks.

Originally posted by NYniner85:

Originally posted by Heroism:
The 49ers always draft for need over BPA. That's exactly why they're in the position of having zero impact players that are 25 years old or younger.

But you're right. Only I would have the blame to carry for expecting them to something different. They are exactly who they are and aren't going to change.

They will take a OT if the right one is there. Hasn't really been the case the past couple yrs (no one there)

imo this is not a great draft overall and the OTs are less than ideal. I don't want to draft an OT just because he plays the position.

I will say Brock had one of the longest TTT in the league this year. No one was getting open on the reg which hurts everything….I do agree we should always be adding talent to the OL.

As far as drafting BPA vs need. I think there's got to be some balance there. One issue is we've been so far off consensus with reaches and have next to nothing to show for those picks.

Yeah, seen the board go crazy over the years for some tackles. Blake Freeland, Wanya Morris, Roger Rosengarten, Kingsley Sumataia, Aireontae Ersery. And while some of these guys may have more upside, none of them are starting over Trent or even McKivitz at the moment. So we can yell invest high capital in OT every year, but barring injury you are not functionally changing the dynamics of the team unless you really hit on a guy. Its just not as common as you'd like for a guy with a second round grade to become an elite LT.

Originally posted by scooterhd:

Originally posted by NYniner85:

Originally posted by Heroism:
The 49ers always draft for need over BPA. That's exactly why they're in the position of having zero impact players that are 25 years old or younger.

But you're right. Only I would have the blame to carry for expecting them to something different. They are exactly who they are and aren't going to change.

They will take a OT if the right one is there. Hasn't really been the case the past couple yrs (no one there)

imo this is not a great draft overall and the OTs are less than ideal. I don't want to draft an OT just because he plays the position.

I will say Brock had one of the longest TTT in the league this year. No one was getting open on the reg which hurts everything….I do agree we should always be adding talent to the OL.

As far as drafting BPA vs need. I think there's got to be some balance there. One issue is we've been so far off consensus with reaches and have next to nothing to show for those picks.

Yeah, seen the board go crazy over the years for some tackles. Blake Freeland, Wanya Morris, Roger Rosengarten, Kingsley Sumataia, Aireontae Ersery. And while some of these guys may have more upside, none of them are starting over Trent or even McKivitz at the moment. So we can yell invest high capital in OT every year, but barring injury you are not functionally changing the dynamics of the team unless you really hit on a guy. Its just not as common as you'd like for a guy with a second round grade to become an elite LT.

I personally care a lot more about investing in the interior of the o line. G situation has been a mess for a while and Brendel is an average center on his best days. I give puni a little room cause I know he was playing through a tough injury last year but he is an example of investing in the O line.

I'd love to get some indepth info on the the whole Colby situation last year. His first game he looked really good and then after that, he looked terrible. I thought I read that he got an injury, and maybe that's why he fell off so bad, but I find his situation interesting. Hopefully Colby is refining his body and technique this off season and comes back as a viable starter. Often, the year 1 to year 2 jump can be incredible.

Originally posted by tankle104:

Originally posted by scooterhd:

Originally posted by NYniner85:

Originally posted by Heroism:
The 49ers always draft for need over BPA. That's exactly why they're in the position of having zero impact players that are 25 years old or younger.

But you're right. Only I would have the blame to carry for expecting them to something different. They are exactly who they are and aren't going to change.

They will take a OT if the right one is there. Hasn't really been the case the past couple yrs (no one there)

imo this is not a great draft overall and the OTs are less than ideal. I don't want to draft an OT just because he plays the position.

I will say Brock had one of the longest TTT in the league this year. No one was getting open on the reg which hurts everything….I do agree we should always be adding talent to the OL.

As far as drafting BPA vs need. I think there's got to be some balance there. One issue is we've been so far off consensus with reaches and have next to nothing to show for those picks.

Yeah, seen the board go crazy over the years for some tackles. Blake Freeland, Wanya Morris, Roger Rosengarten, Kingsley Sumataia, Aireontae Ersery. And while some of these guys may have more upside, none of them are starting over Trent or even McKivitz at the moment. So we can yell invest high capital in OT every year, but barring injury you are not functionally changing the dynamics of the team unless you really hit on a guy. Its just not as common as you'd like for a guy with a second round grade to become an elite LT.

I personally care a lot more about investing in the interior of the o line. G situation has been a mess for a while and Brendel is an average center on his best days. I give puni a little room cause I know he was playing through a tough injury last year but he is an example of investing in the O line.

I'd love to get some indepth info on the the whole Colby situation last year. His first game he looked really good and then after that, he looked terrible. I thought I read that he got an injury, and maybe that's why he fell off so bad, but I find his situation interesting. Hopefully Colby is refining his body and technique this off season and comes back as a viable starter. Often, the year 1 to year 2 jump can be incredible.

I agree IOL is an issue right now. But I suspect its not addressed until round 4.

Originally posted by Phoenix49ers:

[tweet https://x.com/JacobMorley/status/2036873924806312432]

I don't think I've EVER seen someone run a 6.0 flat 40... WOW!!!

Originally posted by OnTheClock:

Originally posted by Phoenix49ers:

It's beautiful. pic.twitter.com/ttLhEhN4kZ

— Jacob Morley (@JacobMorley) March 25, 2026

I don't think I've EVER seen someone run a 6.0 flat 40... WOW!!!

And imagine being 6'5" 311lbs, college football player and only being able to rep 225lbs 11 times

Originally posted by OnTheClock:
I don't think I've EVER seen someone run a 6.0 flat 40... WOW!!!

11 on the bench, a 6.0 40 and a 8.57 3 Cone is remarkably unathletic, even at 310 pounds.

Originally posted by Phoenix49ers:

Originally posted by OnTheClock:
I don't think I've EVER seen someone run a 6.0 flat 40... WOW!!!

11 on the bench, a 6.0 40 and a 8.57 3 Cone is remarkably unathletic, even at 310 pounds.

And yet he was LT over Burke.