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

SF 49ers NFL Draft Target No. 3: OT Walker Little, Stanford

Never overlook the Stanford connection between prospects and John Lynch. That alone is one reason to put the Cardinal’s offensive tackle, Walker Little, on the SF 49ers radar for 2021.

Granted, the Pac-12’s handling of their 2020 football season amid the pandemic could make for some serious shakeups with prospects declaring and where they’ll be projected to go. But looking at Little as a potential second- or third-round selection makes a lot of sense.

Walker’s 6-foot-7 frame looks like an ideal anchor point. Yet the big body prevents him somewhat from being overly mobile, suggesting a less-than-ideal fit for a zone-blocking scheme. Some technique could help fix that, as could a potential move from left tackle over to the right side of the line.

Why would that be a possibility? Well, the Niners have seen their starting right tackle, Mike McGlinchey, go through some notable regression in 2020, and one could fathom the team not picking up his fifth-year option for 2022, opening up the door for a younger, cheaper long-term replacement.

Or, just as likely, another option to replace Trent Williams, should he depart via free agency.

Little might need some tweaking at the next level, but he has the projection to be both solid and reliable as a potential starter or high-quality backup.