San Francisco 49ers: 7-round mock for 2018 NFL Draft, version 2.0
By Peter Panacy
Offensive Tackle. North Carolina. Bentley Spain. 227. player. 42.
The 49ers don’t need to move on from veteran left tackle Joe Staley just yet, and right tackle Trent Brown is locked up for another year. But the team would like to have a promising swing tackle and someone who might develop into a possible starter down the road.
Fans may recall watching North Carolina left tackle Bentley Spain block for now-Chicago Bears quarterback Mitchell Trubisky a year ago.
Spain was good enough in this role, although he’d probably be better suited to start off his career on the right side against lesser-known NFL-level pass-rushers. And he certainly doesn’t have the strength to serve as a starting offensive lineman right away.
That could come in time, though, and Spain’s 6-foot-6, 300-pound frame could withstand adding some more strength.
Just like that, the Niners wouldn’t have to worry about exterior O-line depth.