Niner Noise
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San Francisco 49ers: Final 4-round mock ahead of the 2018 NFL Draft

By Peter Panacy

Commissioner Roger Goodell (Photo by Jon Durr/Getty Images)
Commissioner Roger Goodell (Photo by Jon Durr/Getty Images) /
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INDIANAPOLIS, IN – MARCH 01: Pittsburgh offensive lineman Brian O’Neill 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: Pittsburgh offensive lineman Brian O’Neill 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) /

Brian O'Neill. 70. player. 42. . Offensive Tackle. Pittsburgh

The 49ers are likely set at offensive tackle in 2018, but that doesn’t mean they’ll avoid shopping for long-term solutions at the position.

For starters, left tackle Joe Staley will turn 34 years old before the regular season starts. He’ll need a replacement sooner than later, and right tackle Trent Brown hits a contract year this season.

In addition to the long-term concerns, it would be wise for the Niners to add a swing tackle with the potential to develop into a starter in the near future. And Round 3 would be a prime time for San Francisco to make such a move.

Pitt offensive tackle Brian O’Neill would be an excellent pickup here. As NFL.com Lance Zierlein pointed out, O’Neill has great lateral quickness — an ideal trait for Kyle Shanahan’s outside-zone blocking scheme.

Whatever happens with Staley and Brown beyond this season, the Niners would have a solid insurance policy to guard against offensive line attrition and depth.