49ers 2020 NFL Draft preview: Growing needs along offensive line

While not as flashy as other San Francisco 49ers needs in the 2020 NFL Draft, the offensive line could stand for some notable reinforcements in a topheavy class this year.

Smart teams build in the trenches, and the San Francisco 49ers have spent considerable effort the past few years trying to accomplish this on both sides of the ball.

As far as the offensive line goes, the Niners brought in veteran center Weston Richburg in 2018 on a lucrative free-agent deal, then used their first pick in that year’s NFL Draft on right tackle Mike McGlinchey when it didn’t appear the team needed to grab an offensive lineman early.

Heading into the 2020 draft, there’s a good chance an O-lineman becomes priority No. 1 for general manager John Lynch and Co.

For starters, San Francisco could use some upgrades. Despite all the moves in previous years, the 49ers O-line ranked eighth in run blocking, yet only 15th in pass protection, according to Football Outsiders. Injuries had a lot to do with this yes, namely to Richburg, McGlinchey and left tackle Joe Staley, who all missed substantial time. Yet that illustrates the point: How adequate will the Niners depth be this season if something similar befalls the team again?

Tack on what could be a very real possibility of Staley retiring between now and the regular season, and suddenly O-line needs in the draft jump up even higher.

49ers moves in NFL free agency

San Francisco essentially swapped out right guards, letting Mike Person go and bringing aboard former New York Jets guard Tom Compton.

But the probable favorite to start is the backup, Daniel Brunskill, who performed well enough in a fill-in role at both tackle spots and right guard a year ago. Perhaps Brunskill is viewed as a would-be replacement for Staley, but there isn’t quite enough evidence to suggest he can handle those duties on a full-time role.

The Niners also re-signed swing tackle Shon Coleman, who missed all of 2019 with a serious ankle injury.

Needs in the NFL Draft

The O-line interior could stand for upgrades, yes, particularly if Brunskill winds up having to start at left tackle for a would-be Staley retirement. True, McGlinchey could move over from right tackle to left. But based on what head coach Kyle Shanahan has done in the past with shifting pieces around the O-line (he hasn’t, which is the point), it doesn’t seem likely that would be the route taken.

Either way, Staley is going to turn 36 years old before the season starts, and San Francisco would be wise to think about a long-term replacement now instead of later.

Depth never hurts either, considering Coleman and 2019 rookie Justin Skule have their question marks as backups.

2020 NFL Draft outlook

Like the 49ers’ own draft options, this year’s class is awfully topheavy for O-lineman. After the end of Round 2, the options aren’t exactly overly promising.

San Francisco owns two picks in the first round, Nos. 13 and 31. Just like the Niners did with McGlinchey back in 2018, it wouldn’t be overly shocking to see Lynch go with, let’s say, a Tristan Wirfs out of Iowa or Jedrick Wills out of Alabama.

Or if the 49ers grab another position of need first, perhaps an interior blocker like Michigan’s Cesar Ruiz winds up being the target.

Either way, the point is San Francisco surprised fans and analysts before with the McGlinchey selection, and it wouldn’t be shocking to see something similar happen again while there are other notable needs on the roster.

And as always, adding some depth elsewhere on the line would be helpful, too.