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2017 NFL Draft: Complete 7-Round Mock for the San Francisco 49ers

By Peter Panacy

Aug 20, 2016; Denver, CO, USA; A general view of the San Francisco 49ers helmet before game against the Denver Broncos at Sports Authority Field at Mile High. The 49ers beat the Broncos 31-24. Mandatory Credit: Troy Babbitt-USA TODAY Sports
Aug 20, 2016; Denver, CO, USA; A general view of the San Francisco 49ers helmet before game against the Denver Broncos at Sports Authority Field at Mile High. The 49ers beat the Broncos 31-24. Mandatory Credit: Troy Babbitt-USA TODAY Sports /
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Oct 31, 2015; Jacksonville, FL, USA; Florida Gators offensive lineman David Sharpe (78) against the Georgia Bulldogs during the second quarter at EverBank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 31, 2015; Jacksonville, FL, USA; Florida Gators offensive lineman David Sharpe (78) against the Georgia Bulldogs during the second quarter at EverBank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports /

143. player. 42. . Offensive Tackle. Florida. David Sharpe

The 49ers’ 2016 offensive line was vastly improved over what was seen the previous year, but it’s a unit far from perfect.

Left tackle Joe Staley is aging, and right tackle Trent Brown isn’t exactly a fit for head coach Kyle Shanahan’s outside-zone scheme. As for the interior O-line positions, things are pretty much set. At least for now.

But San Francisco needs to find a swing tackle to replace John Theus and, at best, someone who might emerge as a starting option when Staley eventually retires.

Florida’s David Sharpe may never develop into a full-time starter. But he has the prowess to be a backup left tackle — he played LT at Florida — as well as hold onto a right tackle position.

At 6-foot-6 and 343 pounds, Sharpe isn’t quite as nimble and might have some schematic difficulties of his own. But he’s solid enough in run support to at least help the Niners improve in this problematic area.