49ers 7-round mock 2021 NFL Draft with only Big Ten players

49ers Round 6 Pick, No. 194 Overall: Offensive Tackle Cole Van Lanen

With the addition of Wyatt Davis earlier in this mock, the 49ers offensive line is looking solid across the board with Trent Williams at left tackle, Laken Tomlinson at left guard, Alex Mack manning the center position, Davis or Daniel Brunskill at right guard, and Mike McGlinchey at right tackle.

That’s six offensive linemen before we even take into account others like third-year tackle Justin Skule, second-year guard Colton McKivitz, and veteran tackle Shon Coleman, who opted out in 2020 due to the pandemic.

So why add another offensive lineman in the later rounds after taking McKivitz and Skule in similar positions the last two drafts?

Well, for one, Wisconsin is generally reliable in terms of offensive lineman, and Cole Van Lanen has been one of their better linemen over the course of his career as a Badger. A three-year starter in Madison, Van Lanen has experience working all across the line, versatility that could prove useful at the next level.

Whether he projects as a full-time tackle at the next level remains to be seen, but getting another player to develop is worth the pick at this point.