Niner Noise
FanSided

4 positions 49ers are unlikely to draft for in 2021

By Peter Panacy

"THE PICK IS IN" for the San Francisco 49ers during the 2018 NFL Draft (Photo by Tom Pennington/Getty Images)
"THE PICK IS IN" for the San Francisco 49ers during the 2018 NFL Draft (Photo by Tom Pennington/Getty Images) /
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Laken Tomlinson, San Francisco 49ers
San Francisco 49ers offensive guard Laken Tomlinson (75) Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports /

No. 2: 49ers Offensive Guard

Kyle Shanahan puts a priority on his offensive linemen in the following order:

  1. Center
  2. Left Tackle
  3. Right Tackle
  4. Left Guard
  5. Right Guard

The most important note here is Shanahan emphasizes center play first, which is why Alex Mack was such a major acquisition. Then Shanahan’s tackles are of the most importance, which aligns with the initial trade for and subsequent re-signing of Trent Williams, along with the 2018 first-round move for right tackle Mike McGlinchey.

Guards are important, yes. And the 49ers could stand for some long-term upgrades, particularly at right guard over Daniel Brunskill.

But Brunskill returning on a cheap exclusive-rights free-agent deal for 2021 makes him a quality option, potentially for the next two years. It’s also not out of the question the Niners offer an extension to left guard Laken Tomlinson either.

True, depth would be important. The 2021 draft also has plenty of quality interior lineman, and finding someone who could back up Mack should be on the to-do list.

Yet a pure guard? Probably not something San Francisco targets.