There's still a lot of uncertainty about whether Williams and the organization will agree on a contract restructure, but to me, having Williams is far more valuable than not, especially when you look at the money attached to any separation.
According to Spotrac, if Williams is released or traded post–June 1, the 49ers would be staring at $13.325 million in dead cap. If he's released or traded before June 1, that number jumps to $34.150 million. On top of that, the 49ers owe Williams a $10 million option bonus on March 20, 2026, so yes, Williams does really hold the cards.
That may feel like a bit of a mess right now, but the takeaway is pretty straightforward. If the 49ers come to terms with Williams, they should still be thinking two moves ahead, which means drafting his eventual successor rather than waiting until the problem becomes urgent. There are plenty of suitors in this class, but Proctor is one who really stands out to me.
Even if Trent Williams returns, the 49ers can't afford to ignore a succession plan up front.
Proctor is a massive 6-foot-7, near 370-pound offensive tackle with 5.21 40-time speed, who many evaluators believe hasn't scratched the surface of what he can become. He isn't a finished product; he's not yet polished, but the upside is real, and you don't usually get that kind of size and athleticism without paying a premium. Proctor completed 25 bench press reps at the NFL combine, and recorded a 32.5-inch vertical jump and a 9'1" broad jump.
There's discussion around the league about whether Proctor ultimately fits better as a guard or a tackle at the next level, and that's exactly why the 49ers are an ideal landing spot. If Williams returns for the upcoming season, Proctor could slide in right beside him at the vacant left guard position, learn in a high-accountability room, and develop without having to carry the full weight of replacing a franchise left tackle immediately. Then, when Williams is no longer with the club, the 49ers have the option to kick Proctor back out to tackle.
Here's where it gets a bit tricky. Proctor is certainly best utilized in a power run, gap-scheme environment because he's an absolute mauler at the point of attack. But he's also very athletic for a player of his stature, and I wouldn't rule out Kyle Shanahan getting a lot out of him in a zone run scheme.
Early on, he'd likely struggle when asked to pull and consistently win those reach blocks, and there are snaps where getting to and shifting second-level defenders is a challenge. Still, he flashes surprising quickness and agility that make the projection worth the risk, especially if he's not forced into a sink-or-swim role at left tackle on Day 1.
Kadyn Proctor's 2025 production is why the 49ers should consider him at No. 27
In 2025, Pro Football Focus awarded Proctor an overall grade of 85.4, including a pass-blocking grade of 81.8 and a run-blocking mark of 81.6. He was flagged just once last season, and he yielded just 1 sack and 17 total pressures.
PFF also gave him an 85.5 mark in zone run grades, which comes as a bit of a surprise given that the second level can be hit-or-miss for him at times. But when you combine that efficiency with his frame and raw tools, the case is easy to understand: you're drafting a high-upside lineman who's already producing, not a total projection.
The key point is that the 49ers recognize Trent Williams as an elite left tackle and a strong leader. However, they also acknowledge the reality that time is not on his side as he approaches the later stages of his career. Additionally, the financial aspects of his contract create an urgency to find a suitable replacement in the future.
Written By:
Bob served as a site editor for two FanSided sites from 2018 to 2025. He has also been a contributor to 49ers Webzone, part of USA Today Sports, since 2022. A lifelong sports enthusiast, Bob has written and edited numerous articles across both networks. In addition to sports writing, he has taken on creative writing opportunities in the past, crafting slogans and articles for clothing companies and analyzing odds for various sports betting outlets. When he isn't writing, Bob manages his family farm, established in 1928, and is the president and owner of Bob Heyrman Farms LTD. During his downtime, he enjoys dining in beautiful downtown Detroit and attending various sporting events.
All articles by Bob Heyrman
Bob Heyrman
Bob served as a site editor for two FanSided sites from 2018 to 2025. He has also been a contributor to 49ers Webzone, part of USA Today Sports, since 2022. A lifelong sports enthusiast, Bob has written and edited numerous articles across both networks. In addition to sports writing, he has taken on creative writing opportunities in the past, crafting slogans and articles for clothing companies and analyzing odds for various sports betting outlets. When he isn't writing, Bob manages his family farm, established in 1928, and is the president and owner of Bob Heyrman Farms LTD. During his downtime, he enjoys dining in beautiful downtown Detroit and attending various sporting events.
All articles by Bob Heyrman
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