49ers 7-round 2022 mock NFL Draft, Christmas edition

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Jarrett Patterson, Notre Dame Fighting Irish, Stanford Cardinal

Notre Dame Fighting Irish offensive lineman Jarrett Patterson (55) blocks Stanford Cardinal cornerback Kyu Blu Kelly (17) Mandatory Credit: Darren Yamashita-USA TODAY Sports /

819. . Offensive Line. Fighting Irish . Jarrett Patterson. 124. player

Round 4, Pick No. 124 Overall: Offensive Lineman Jarrett Patterson, Notre Dame

There are a lot of serious question marks the Niners have regarding their offensive line heading into the offseason. Left guard Laken Tomlinson, who has been outstanding in 2021, is a pending free agent and re-sign priority. Right guard Daniel Brunskill has struggled, though, and he might be best served as an all-encompassing backup.

San Francisco has also received almost nothing from 2021 second-round rookie guard Aaron Banks, who’s turning into a bust.

Bluntly stated, the 49ers have to invest some of their offseason assets into this group, and soon.

Technically, Notre Dame offensive lineman Jarrett Patterson is a center, which could provide some benefits once the Niners elect to move on from their own aging veteran, Alex Mack. In the meantime, though, Patterson is the kind of lineman Banks is not: a good zone-style mover with quick lateral agility.

Those traits will bode well for Patterson, a 6-foot-5 and 305-pound frame, and Notre Dame has long been a factory for top-quality offensive linemen.

Except for Banks, perhaps.