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San Francisco 49ers: A Way-Too-Early Look at Position Needs for 2018

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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October 4, 2015; Santa Clara, CA, USA; Green Bay Packers inside linebacker Clay Matthews (52, left) rushes against San Francisco 49ers tackle Joe Staley (74, right) during the fourth quarter at Levi’s Stadium. The Packers defeated the 49ers 17-3. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports
October 4, 2015; Santa Clara, CA, USA; Green Bay Packers inside linebacker Clay Matthews (52, left) rushes against San Francisco 49ers tackle Joe Staley (74, right) during the fourth quarter at Levi’s Stadium. The Packers defeated the 49ers 17-3. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports /

No. 3: Offensive Tackle

The 2017 NFL Draft didn’t exactly provide a lot of surefire offensive tackle options for teams, and the Niners didn’t bother reaching with a pick to address this need.

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    • In fact the only notable move made was signing undrafted free agent Erik Magnuson out of Michigan.

    Fortunately, the 2018 draft is supposed to be laden with offensive line talent.

    San Francisco’s need at offensive tackle is growing. Veteran left tackle Joe Staley is aging and will be 33 years old this season. While he’s signed through 2019, it’s clear the 49ers need to find his replacement sooner than later.

    Right tackle Trent Brown isn’t exactly an option. He’s not the best fit for a zone-style scheme, and his run blocking is below par at best.

    Unless Magnuson somehow turns a lot of heads, this will be a pressing 2018 offseason need.

    New England Patriots tackle Nate Solder may be the biggest free agent to watch. He’ll be 30 years old though, so it’s not exactly a long-term option.

    The draft will be the way to go for San Francisco. Mike McGlinchey out of Notre Dame is likely a first-round pick and should be on the Niners’ radar. The same goes for Mississippi State’s Martinas Rankin or Clemson’s Mitch Hyatt.

    Ideally, the 49ers find two tackles — one as a long-term replacement for Staley and another to be an upgrade over Brown.