49ers roster: 5 players who can replace Laken Tomlinson (if he leaves)

49ers option No. 3: Ben Brown, Ole Miss (NFL Draft)

If San Francisco elects to pass or is unable to grab someone like Cordell Volson, Ole Miss interior offensive lineman Ben Brown would be a wise target on day two (or potentially early on day three) of the NFL Draft.

At 6-foot-5 and 315 pounds, Brown has played at both guard and center, which would potentially give the 49ers some flexibility to eventually replace veteran center Alex Mack at some point down the line.

In the meantime, Brown could be worked in as a plug-and-play guard, and his intangibles suggest he won’t have too much difficulty in assuming such a role.

His scouting report from Pro Football Network suggests as much:

"Brown plays the game with competitive toughness, routinely looking to punish his opposition through to the whistle. He explodes with aggression as soon as the ball is snapped, helping to pave the way for the Rebels’ ground game. The Ole Miss offensive lineman also routinely demonstrates football intelligence. He reads the play pre-snap and is responsible for making adjustments. Moreover, he is adept at picking up and passing off defensive linemen as required, always looking for work."

The intelligence will help him mesh with head coach Kyle Shanahan’s complex system, and the physicality will ensure the Niners’ ground game doesn’t suffer too much of a lapse if Laken Tomlinson departs.