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San Francisco 49ers: Day-two offensive guards to target in the 2018 NFL Draft

By Peter Panacy

AUBURN, AL - SEPTEMBER 10: Quarterback Sean White #13 of the Auburn Tigers carries the ball behind offensive lineman Braden Smith #71 of the Auburn Tigers during their game against the Arkansas State Red Wolves at Jordan Hare Stadium on September 10, 2016 in Auburn, Alabama. (Photo by Michael Chang/Getty Images)
AUBURN, AL - SEPTEMBER 10: Quarterback Sean White #13 of the Auburn Tigers carries the ball behind offensive lineman Braden Smith #71 of the Auburn Tigers during their game against the Arkansas State Red Wolves at Jordan Hare Stadium on September 10, 2016 in Auburn, Alabama. (Photo by Michael Chang/Getty Images) /
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NEW YORK – APRIL 23: NFL Commissioner Paul Tagliabue speaks at the podium during the 70th NFL Draft on April 23, 2005 at the Jacob K. Javits Convention Center in New York City. (Photo by Chris Trotman/Getty Images)
NEW YORK – APRIL 23: NFL Commissioner Paul Tagliabue speaks at the podium during the 70th NFL Draft on April 23, 2005 at the Jacob K. Javits Convention Center in New York City. (Photo by Chris Trotman/Getty Images) /

The San Francisco 49ers will likely be on the hunt for an offensive lineman in the NFL Draft, and day two looks to be an area in which they’ll target. Here are some names to watch.

The San Francisco 49ers used free agency to make an upgrade at center, bringing aboard former New York Giants center Weston Richburgh, yet there are still notable holes to fill at both guard positions.

San Francisco didn’t land All-Pro guard Andrew Norwell, who signed on with the Jacksonville Jaguars. And after letting 2017 right guard Brandon Fusco walk in free agency, general manager John Lynch and Co. will be looking to the 2018 NFL Draft to find some options here.

The team has guards Joshua Garnett and Laken Tomlinson returning for the upcoming season. Garnett, who missed last year with a knee injury, has been asked to change his body composition to be a better fit in head coach Kyle Shanahan’s zone-style scheme.

Even if this happens, and Tomlinson plays more like he did in the latter half of 2017, the Niners are likely to target what looks to be a relatively deep NFL Draft class at guard.

Notre Dame’s Quenton Nelson is the bona fide No. 1 overall offensive line prospect. Yet he likely won’t make it to San Francisco’s top pick in the draft, No. 9 overall, which points to Lynch targeting either a pass-rusher, linebacker or another O-lineman with his first pick.

But if the guard position winds up being a priority on day two of the draft, here are some names he can consider.