SF 49ers: 5 NFL Draft prospects who can fix offensive line in 2021

SF 49ers NFL Draft Target No. 4: OL Trey Smith, Tennessee

Some of the attrition the Niners have suffered in recent years along their O-line suggest targeting a versatile player capable of playing three or four spots would be a wise move. Add to that the needs Kyle Shanahan and John Lynch have elsewhere, it might be worth using a day-two or day-three flier on a player who comes with a little more risk than usual.

One such name to watch here is Tennessee offensive lineman Trey Smith, who could have easily been a shoo-in for first-round NFL Draft consideration if it weren’t for blood clots in his lungs that prematurely ended his 2018 campaign.

Fortunately for Smith, both in terms of his football career and his personal health, the issue hasn’t come up since, although it’ll be something of concern for teams looking at potentially adding the 6-foot-6, 325-pound lineman next year.

Smith probably figures to be a better guard at the NFL level, and it isn’t as if the SF 49ers lack needs there.

What Smith does well is playing like a mauler, reaching next-level blocks with ease while playing with a level of nastiness San Francisco’s O-line hasn’t had in a while. While he’s not overly mobile and nimble, getting something of a ferocious pass blocker would do the Niners a lot of good.

Especially if Smith slips into the middle rounds of the draft.