SF 49ers: NFL Draft options after potential Deshaun Watson trade
By Robert Smith
SF 49ers Offensive Line Options
The offensive line, while suffering through a fair share of injuries, looked very underwhelming at certain points during the year.
Centers Weston Richburg and Ben Garland both missed the majority of the season with injuries. Right tackle Mike McGlinchey, while solid in run blocking, struggled in pass protection throughout the season. And the rest of the line was shifted around to cover for the injuries.
Obviously, the team would love to bring Pro Bowl tackle Trent Williams back if the cap permits it. But either way, it seems likely there will be some major changes to this unit before the start of the 2021 season. And those changes will include multiple draft picks to shore up some gaps in the offensive line.
We can say with certainty Oregon’s Penei Sewell will be off the board even if the Niners hold onto the 12th pick overall and do not trade for Deshaun Watson. We move forward as though they do make the trade, and their options for the third round and beyond have some talented offensive linemen to choose from.
If projected second-rounders like Jalen Mayfield of Michigan or Virginia Tech’s Christian Darrisaw were to slide, the Niners would probably pounce on them in Round 3. But if they are off the board, Notre Dame tackle Liam Eichenberg would be a nice selection.
Eichenberg stands at a whopping 6-foot-6 and weighs in at 305 pounds. What he lacks in athleticism, he makes up for with great hand use and sheer force. He is well-equipped to handle duties as a starting tackle in the NFL and could give San Francisco insurance if Williams leaves or as a replacement if he retires at some point after being re-signed.
If Eichenberg is off the board, or the SF 49ers wait until later in the draft to select an offensive lineman, Tennessee’s Trey Smith, Oklahoma State’s Teven Jenkins, or Royce Newman of Ole Miss would be solid picks as well.