5 draft prospects who entice 49ers at 2022 NFL Scouting Combine

49ers NFL Combine prospect to watch No. 1: IOL Tyler Linderbaum, Iowa

It might not be as flashy a need as cornerback or another pass-rusher, but San Francisco does need to reinforce and make younger its offensive line this offseason.

Left guard Laken Tomlinson could depart free agency, there might be a need to upgrade over right guard Daniel Brunskill, while veteran center Alex Mack has mulled retirement in recent years and is getting up there in age anyway.

So it wouldn’t be a shock if the 49ers dished out their first pick of the draft on an interior lineman, and few have as much credibility in this year’s class than Iowa center Tyler Linderbaum.

Centers rarely receive top-end consideration in the draft, but Linderbaum might be solid enough to sneak into Round 1 and well beyond the Niners’ range to grab him.

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If he falls, though, San Francisco might pounce in an attempt to land the 6-foot-3, 289-pound zone-style lineman from a college program it already likes a lot.

Linderbaum’s strength will be of note during the combine, and his movement skills might be watch points, too.

However, if those elements are strong enough and the 49ers want to grab him with the immediate hope of being a guard, eventually relieving Mack down the road, it would be a wise investment.

The 2021 NFL Scouting Combine kicks off on Tuesday, March 1.