49ers trade Jimmy Garoppolo in this 7-round mock NFL Draft

Quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo #10 of the New England Patriots (Photo by George Gojkovich/Getty Images)
Quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo #10 of the New England Patriots (Photo by George Gojkovich/Getty Images) /
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Kellen Mond, Ryan McCollum, Texas A&M Aggies
Kellen Mond #11 of the Texas A&M Aggies awaits the snap from Ryan McCollum #77 (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images) /

Ryan McCollum. 230. player. 873. . Center. Aggies

Round 7, Pick No. 230 Overall (from Jets): 49ers select center Ryan McCollum, Texas A&M

The 49ers are moving on from their injured center, Weston Richburg, and already replaced him with the six-time Pro Bowl veteran, Alex Mack.

Last year showed, however, how important it can be to have quality depth along the offensive line if the injuries piled up, and the Niners lacked that depth dearly. Especially at center in the wake of Richburg’s absence and a swarm of other injuries at the position.

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Ideally, San Francisco keeps Mack fully healthy for a full 16-game slate in 2021. But finding someone who could plug the void in case Mack is out for a game or two would be vital, thereby leaving right guard Daniel Brunskill in place and not relying on someone plucked off the free-agent scrap heap midseason.

Going after Texas A&M center Ryan McCollum wouldn’t guarantee much, as he has also dealt with injuries during his college career. And the 6-foot-5, 300-pound lineman might be a bit undersized to regularly deal with big, strong interior rushers.

All that said, McCollum moves well enough and should be a solid developmental player within a run-first, zone-style scheme.

The 2021 NFL Draft kicks off on Thursday, April 29.

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