This mock draft, like many others, has the top four quarterback prospects long gone before the 49ers' first selection. Not that Barrows would have gone in that direction anyway. Cornerback Patrick Surtain II of Alabama heads to the Dallas Cowboys at No. 10. The New York Giants select tight end Kyle Pitts of Florida at No. 11.
So where does that leave the 49ers with the next selection? Bolstering their offensive line by drafting Rashawn Slater of Northwestern.
Barrows notes that San Francisco could go with a defensive end with Nick Bosa coming off an ACL injury and Dee Ford's future up in the air. But the beat writer feels selecting one at No. 12 might be a reach.
"Slater is the best player on the board at this point," explained Barrows. "The 49ers could insert him immediately at right guard, a problem area in recent seasons, with an eye on him moving to tackle in the future. A plausible alternate scenario: Another team looking for a tackle trades up to get Slater, the 49ers trade back, draft a defensive end and add several more picks in the process."
Barrows isn't the only one who can envision the 49ers selecting Slater. Analyst Daniel Jeremiah recently had San Francisco adding the former Wildcat in his mock draft for NFL.com.
Slater opted out of this past collegiate season after the Big Ten initially announced a postponement to its games. He decided to forego the season and focus on the draft when the conference later reversed its decision.
The young offensive lineman allowed zero sacks, one quarterback hit, and just four quarterback hurries during his 355 pass-blocking and 787 total snaps in 2019, per Pro Football Focus.
Click here to read through the entire mock draft.
More San Francisco 49ers News
-
Kyle Shanahan defends 49ers' offensive line: "I think our line has played at a very high level these last few years"
The San Francisco 49ers' offensive line hasn't allowed a sack in the first two games of the season, making them the only team in the NFL to open the year without giving up one. And Kyle Shanahan isn't surprised. The 49ers head coach has long placed a premium on continuity... -
49ers' Brock Purdy makes huge leap in latest NFL QB rankings
Some felt San Francisco 49ers quarterback Brock Purdy's No. 15 ranking in Nick Shook's first NFL.com quarterback rankings of the 2026 season was disrespectful. Just two weeks into the season, Purdy has climbed significantly on the list. Shook released his latest quarterback... -
49ers vs. Cardinals injury updates: Latest news from Week 3 matchup
The San Francisco 49ers are facing the Arizona Cardinals in a Week 3 matchup at Levi's Stadium in Santa Clara, California. Below are the latest in-game injury updates for the 49ers. This article will be updated in real time as new information becomes available. Players are... -
Kyle Shanahan opens up about 49ers' injury woes amid latest setback
The San Francisco 49ers have played only two games this season, and their injury list already reads like a roll call. The newest addition is star pass rusher Nick Bosa, who strained his calf while warming up ahead of Thursday's practice. This is nothing new for the 49ers,...