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San Francisco 49ers: Final 7-round mock before the 2018 NFL Draft

By Peter Panacy

NEW YORK, NY - APRIL 28: NFL Commissoner Roger Goodell greets Aldon Smith, #7 overall pick by the San Francisco 49ers, during the 2011 NFL Draft at Radio City Music Hall on April 28, 2011 in New York City. (Photo by Chris Trotman/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NY - APRIL 28: NFL Commissoner Roger Goodell greets Aldon Smith, #7 overall pick by the San Francisco 49ers, during the 2011 NFL Draft at Radio City Music Hall on April 28, 2011 in New York City. (Photo by Chris Trotman/Getty Images) /
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INDIANAPOLIS, IN – MARCH 01: North Carolina State offensive lineman Will Richardson speaks to the media during NFL Combine press conferences at the Indiana Convention Center on March 1, 2018 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images)
INDIANAPOLIS, IN – MARCH 01: North Carolina State offensive lineman Will Richardson speaks to the media during NFL Combine press conferences at the Indiana Convention Center on March 1, 2018 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images) /

Offensive Tackle. NC State. Will Richardson. 214. player. 42.

With veterans Joe Staley and Trent Brown entrenched as the 49ers’ starting two tackles in 2018, John Lynch doesn’t have to put a high priority on the exteriors of San Francisco’s offensive line.

But with Brown hitting a contract year, and also dealing with injuries last season, a quality backup would be worth targeting with one of Lynch’s later picks.

Especially if a good scheme fit can be found.

NC State’s Will Richardson comes with some red flags and might be better suited to play guard at the next level. Yet NC State’s zone-style offense makes him a good enough fit for the similar kind of outside zone Kyle Shanahan operates.

Richardson likely will never develop into a quality starter at the NFL level. But given the attrition level O-lines suffer, putting Richardson into a position where he can be a backup would be ideal.

The 2018 NFL Draft is only a few weeks away. And while no mock draft is perfect, we’ll surely be excited to see what moves Lynch and Co. pull off.

Next: 2018 NFL Draft: Two-round mock for all 32 teams across the league

Didn’t see the prospect you wanted San Francisco to land? Be sure to chime in on the comments section to speak your mind!