49ers: 5 biggest sleepers to target in 2021 NFL Draft

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Quarterback AJ Bush Jr. #1 of the Illinois Fighting Illini and offensive lineman Nick Allegretti #53 and offensive lineman Alex Palczewski #63 and offensive lineman Kendrick Green #55 and offensive lineman Vederian Lowe #79 (Photo by Steven Branscombe/Getty Images) /

49ers Sleeper No. 2: OL Kendrick Green, Illinois

The 49ers hope to have solved their issues at center during the offseason by adding six-time Pro Bowler Alex Mack to the fray.

Yet the depth behind Mack remains questionable, and it’s not going to be too long before they’ll have to start thinking about a long-term replacement option for the 35-year-old veteran. Plus, one could make the argument the Niners have a need to upgrade at guard, too.

If they’re looking to do so in Rounds 5 or 6, going after Illinois interior lineman Kendrick Green.

Green, 6-foot-2 and 305 pounds, lined up at both center and guard during his collegiate career, starting 25 games between 2018 and 2019 while being named a first-team All-Big Ten selection as a junior.

NFL.com’s Lance Zierlein described why Green could be a good fit with San Francisco’s outside-zone rushing scheme:

"Capable of playing guard or center, Green’s lateral get-off makes him a natural fit for teams heavy into outside zone as a primary run scheme. He can get to play-side reach and back-side cuts and he specializes in washing his defender out of the play once he’s engaged on the move."

The 49ers need depth now, and Green could provide that with the added upside of potentially sliding in as a quality long-term replacement option for Mack when that time comes.