SF 49ers mock NFL Draft halfway through 2020 season

Round 2, Pick No. 47 Overall: SF 49ers improve O-line with Ohio State center Josh Myers

One of the massive problems the SF 49ers have experienced this year has been up front along the offensive line.

Currently, according to Football Outsiders, the Niners O-line ranks 16th in run blocking and 20th in pass protection — numbers likely to drop as long as San Francisco’s starting left tackle, Trent Williams, remains out on the reserve/COVID-19 list.

Williams is a pending free agent in 2021, although the 49ers moving on from Jimmy Garoppolo opens up enough money to re-sign him.

Even if that happens, it doesn’t eliminate some serious needs Kyle Shanahan has within the interior of his offensive line, namely at center and right guard. The idea was for veteran Weston Richburg to be there at center, but he’s still on the mend from a 2019 knee injury and hasn’t seen the field this season. It’s highly possible the SF 49ers consider moving on from Richburg sooner than later.

His backup, Ben Garland, is just that: a quality reserve. But he’s also on injured reserve with a calf injury.

To get younger and cheaper, the Niners tap into one of the deeper NFL Draft classes along the O-line, grabbing Ohio State center Josh Myers.

Myers, who can also double at guard if San Francisco holds onto Richburg another season, is a tremendous pass protector and moves adequately enough on pulls to suggest he’d be a good fit for Shanahan’s outside zone-blocking scheme.

Aside from offensive tackle, one could argue the center spot is the most important for Shanahan’s offense.

Investing early at this position would be a wise move for the 49ers.