5 moves SF 49ers should plan on making for 2021 offseason

No. 4: SF 49ers have to figure out how to re-sign Trent Williams

It won’t be cheap, but re-signing Trent Williams should be well up the Niners’ 2021 priority list.

Especially after watching Williams’ backup, swing tackle Justin Skule, act like a turnstile in the team’s Week 9 loss to the Green Bay Packers on Thursday Night Football.

San Francisco doesn’t have much depth, both in terms of quality players and developmental candidates, behind Williams. And while the 2021 NFL Draft is notably deep for the offensive line, the vast majority of prospects peg to be for the interior, not necessarily at tackle.

Besides, with right tackle Mike McGlinchey’s apparent regression this season, the SF 49ers probably aren’t in a position to develop two rookie tackles, should McGlinchey wind up being shown the door in 2022.

When the Niners traded for Williams from Washington last offseason, part of his renegotiated deal included San Francisco not being able to use the franchise tag on him.

So that means he’s either re-signed or walks.

While it would be a bonus to net a compensatory pick in 2022 for a would-be Williams departure, the better avenue would be to come up with a likely three-year deal in the range of $15 million annually for the perennial Pro Bowler’s services.

Hopefully, he’d take it.