4 positions 49ers can wait to address in 2021 NFL Draft

No. 1: Offensive Line — 49ers have needs but not as many as you think

For those of you thinking the 49ers need a complete overhaul of their offensive line, NBC Sports Bay Area’s Matt Maiocco disagrees with you.

Granted, much of the Niners’ O-line plans hinge on whether or not they’ll be able to re-sign eight-time Pro Bowl left tackle Trent Williams, who could command up to $20 million per season on a new free-agent deal. And San Francisco will likely make veteran center Weston Richburg a cap casualty after he missed the last year-plus with injuries.

San Francisco 49ers

That said, if there’s one position potentially rivaling the depth at wide receiver in the draft, it’s at offensive line.

Oregon offensive tackle Penei Sewell is the only bona fide clear-cut star from this year’s class with Northwestern’s Rashawn Slater not far behind him. After that, it’s a matter of fit, skill set and preference. Yet there are more than enough linemen, both outside and within the interior, who could be plug-and-play quality starters on day one.

Including some names who’ll fall into day three of the draft.

Iowa’s Alaric Jackson could easily slip into Round 4, and the 49ers seem to have an affinity for Hawkeyes offensive players. BYU’s Brady Christensen is a day-three possibility, and so is Kentucky’s Landon Young.

While the latter names may need to start off as depth pieces initially, each has the potential to become solid starting-caliber options.

Simply put, the Niners don’t need to reach here. They can wait a bit if need be.