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San Francisco 49ers: 5 moves to fix the offensive line in 2018

By Peter Panacy

DENVER, CO - OCTOBER 19: Center Dillon Farrell #56 of the San Francisco 49ers replaced the injured Daniel Kilgore #67 (not pictured) against the Denver Broncos at Sports Authority Field at Mile High on October 19, 2014 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Doug Pensinger/Getty Images)
DENVER, CO - OCTOBER 19: Center Dillon Farrell #56 of the San Francisco 49ers replaced the injured Daniel Kilgore #67 (not pictured) against the Denver Broncos at Sports Authority Field at Mile High on October 19, 2014 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Doug Pensinger/Getty Images) /
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FOXBORO, MA – DECEMBER 24: Nate Solder #77 of the New England Patriots prepares to block Jason Taylor #99 of the Miami Dolphins during the second half of New England’s 27-24 win at Gillette Stadium on December 24, 2011 in Foxboro, Massachusetts. (Photo by Winslow Townson/Getty Images)
FOXBORO, MA – DECEMBER 24: Nate Solder #77 of the New England Patriots prepares to block Jason Taylor #99 of the Miami Dolphins during the second half of New England’s 27-24 win at Gillette Stadium on December 24, 2011 in Foxboro, Massachusetts. (Photo by Winslow Townson/Getty Images) /

No. 1: Go All Out for Patriots Offensive Tackle Nate Solder

The 49ers are going to have to overpay for a talented offensive lineman on the free-agent market, but the good news is they’re equipped to do so.

San Francisco has money, though, so overspending shouldn’t be too big an issue.

New England Patriots offensive tackle could easily wind up being the most sought-after O-line free agent this offseason. He’s wrapping up the final season of a $20.06 two-year extension in New England this year and will hit the market in 2018 just before his 30th birthday.

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The Patriots aren’t known for overspending on free agents set to hit the market, and it seems more likely they’d be looking to find someone younger and cheaper.

Yet the Niners can afford to be aggressive, pulling in Solder on a deal worth around $11 million per year.

This would, of course, create something of a logjam at left tackle — the position both Solder and Joe Staley would play.

But if the loser of this competition would be willing to bump out to right tackle, that’s a competition the Niners would like to have.

OK, so these are just a few options San Francisco might pursue in 2018. And all of them aren’t going to happen. Heck, none of them might.

Next: Predicting 49ers' strengths, weaknesses & X-factors in 2017

However, just one of these moves would provide a very serious upgrade to San Francisco offensive line needing all the help it can get between now and 2018.