Niner Noise
FanSided

5 dark-horse prospects the 49ers could grab in Round 1 of the 2019 NFL Draft

By Peter Panacy

BATON ROUGE, LA - SEPTEMBER 09: Andraez Williams #29 of the LSU Tigers celebrates an interception with Ed Paris #21 during the first half of a game against the Chattanooga Mocs at Tiger Stadium on September 9, 2017 in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. (Photo by Jonathan Bachman/Getty Images)
BATON ROUGE, LA - SEPTEMBER 09: Andraez Williams #29 of the LSU Tigers celebrates an interception with Ed Paris #21 during the first half of a game against the Chattanooga Mocs at Tiger Stadium on September 9, 2017 in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. (Photo by Jonathan Bachman/Getty Images) /
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ATLANTA, GA – JANUARY 08: Brian Robinson Jr. #24 of the Alabama Crimson Tide walks out of the tunnel during warm ups with Jonah Williams #73 during warm ups prior to the game against the Georgia Bulldogs in the CFP National Championship presented by AT&T at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on January 8, 2018 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images)
ATLANTA, GA – JANUARY 08: Brian Robinson Jr. #24 of the Alabama Crimson Tide walks out of the tunnel during warm ups with Jonah Williams #73 during warm ups prior to the game against the Georgia Bulldogs in the CFP National Championship presented by AT&T at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on January 8, 2018 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images) /

It appears as if the Niners made the right move by grabbing Mike McGlinchey last season, who ended up earning some pretty lofty accolades from Pro Football Focus when 2018 was said and done.

McGlinchey is going to be a cornerstone for a long, long time. But that doesn’t mean the 49ers’ tackle situation is completely solved for the long run. Veteran left tackle Joe Staley, who will turn 35 years old before the 2019 season begins, enters the final year of his contract this upcoming season. He hasn’t made any overtures about retirement, and there’s always the possibility he plays well beyond 2019.

Still, replacing Staley is something San Francisco has to entertain sooner than later.

Alabama’s Jonah Williams is widely viewed as the top offensive tackle prospect in this year’s NFL Draft. The value isn’t there at No. 2 overall, prompting a would-be trade-down scenario for the 49ers in Round 1.

But consider this: San Francisco can still take advantage of a deep edge-rusher class, landing additional draft capital while looking to grab a quality pass-rusher either late in Round 1 or early in Round 2. Some of the pass-rushers tabbed to go at the fringes of the first round could easily be top-10 selections in other, weaker draft classes.

Williams wouldn’t have to start right away, or the Niners could bump him inside to guard for the time being and if he’s adept to it.

For the long run, however, Williams could wind up being the bookend alongside McGlinchey for the next 10 years once Staley calls it a career.