OL 2026 draft class discussion

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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.

I'm no McKivitz fanboy but he only truly got beat on the last clip. The middle clip i'd argue he let Demarcus go up field to take him out the play but Brock kept the ball too long. Plus the score was out of hand so all the seahawks had to do is pin there ears back and get after the QB.

I think the argument in some fans eyes is you have a glaring hole at LG and C. You will have a glaring hole at LT next year. Try to fix those spots before trying to upgrade McKivitz. If you go BPA and Max is your BPA then fine but if Caleb Lomu is there and he has a similar grade to Max i'm taking Lomu.

Originally posted by miked1978:
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The middle clip i'd argue he let Demarcus go up field to take him out the play but Brock kept the ball too long. Plus the score was out of hand so all the seahawks had to do is pin there ears back and get after the QB.

The end result of the play is irrelevant when analyzing a player. Focus on the process. Not only does he get smoked by 33-year-old DeMarcus Lawrence's cross chop, Lawrence is actually delayed to his rush because he expects to be chipped yet still beats McKivitz to his landmark. McKivitz's is a plodder. He doesn't have the foot quickness to stay squared in this situation or the hand speed to reset his hands once they're gone.

These were lazy examples I pulled up. McKivitz was worked in both games. Only Burford allowed more pressures in the playoffs(6)vs Seattle to McKivitz's 5 allowed in the NFC Divisional playoff. He's a just a mediocre tackle. Nobody should expect different results from the SF OL vs SEA DL when the 49ers play Seattle next season if they're bringing back 80% of the same OL.

Every day there'sanother mock draft posted at the top of thr page. They hsve tghre zNiners going for OL, Edge, WR and DB. No parti=icukar order but few of them agree on which position they address 1st or who they will pick. Probably because the Niners have 3 or 4 key spots that need to be upgraded but also because there aren't a lot of ble chip players this year. There's quality but not many that are gotta get em can't miss guys.

Originally posted by CatchMaster80:
Every day there'sanother mock draft posted at the top of thr page. They hsve tghre zNiners going for OL, Edge, WR and DB. No parti=icukar order but few of them agree on which position they address 1st or who they will pick. Probably because the Niners have 3 or 4 key spots that need to be upgraded but also because there aren't a lot of ble chip players this year. There's quality but not many that are gotta get em can't miss guys.

Whatever the consensus is, Shanahan will do the opposite. Get ready for LB @ 27...

Originally posted by Heroism:

Originally posted by miked1978:
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The middle clip i'd argue he let Demarcus go up field to take him out the play but Brock kept the ball too long. Plus the score was out of hand so all the seahawks had to do is pin there ears back and get after the QB.

The end result of the play is irrelevant when analyzing a player. Focus on the process. Not only does he get smoked by 33-year-old DeMarcus Lawrence's cross chop, Lawrence is actually delayed to his rush because he expects to be chipped yet still beats McKivitz to his landmark. McKivitz's is a plodder. He doesn't have the foot quickness to stay squared in this situation or the hand speed to reset his hands once they're gone.

These were lazy examples I pulled up. McKivitz was worked in both games. Only Burford allowed more pressures in the playoffs(6)vs Seattle to McKivitz's 5 allowed in the NFC Divisional playoff. He's a just a mediocre tackle. Nobody should expect different results from the SF OL vs SEA DL when the 49ers play Seattle next season if they're bringing back 80% of the same OL.

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Originally posted by Hoovtrain:
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