49ers need to find Alex Mack replacement in 2022 NFL Draft

It’s looking as if center Alex Mack will return to the 49ers in 2022 and not retire, but the Niners have to think about finding his replacement soon.

The San Francisco 49ers have already lost a key component of their offensive line from the last five seasons, as Pro Bowl left guard Laken Tomlinson departed the team for a lucrative three-year contract with the New York Jets in NFL free agency.

And with right tackle Mike McGlinchey still working his way back from a serious quad injury suffered last year and subsequent surgery that was required, there’s a good chance the Niners O-line will be considerably weaker than it was a season ago.

There’s one more issue to worry about, too, although it doesn’t seem quite as pressing as the others.

Veteran center Alex Mack, a seven-time Pro Bowler with one of those coming with San Francisco last season, could be on the verge of retirement. Recently having been married in Europe, the 36-year-old Mack is showing all the signs of returning, and general manager John Lynch told reporters that would be the plan:

However, San Francisco fans remember the similarity of comments made by Lynch back in 2020 when it appeared stalwart left tackle Joe Staley was returning, only to have his retirement officially announced during the middle of that year’s NFL Draft and right after the 49ers traded for perennial Pro Bowl left tackle Trent Williams.

It’s unclear whether or not the Niners will have to take a similar course of action to replace Mack this offseason.

However, even if Mack is back for one more year, Lynch and Co. would be wise to explore some contingent replacement plans for their center beyond 2022.

49ers must make Alex Mack replacement a priority in NFL Draft

There are a lot of trends head coach Kyle Shanahan has shown since taking over duties in 2017, and one of those is the fact he prefers veterans at center. Given the complexity of Shanahan’s offense, it makes sense to have someone awfully cerebral with plenty of experience in this regard.

It also helps explain why San Francisco acquired now-retired center Weston Richburg years ago, then Mack heading into 2021.

One of the 49ers’ remaining offseason needs is to upgrade the interior of their O-line, and a prospect capable of playing both interior spots would make a lot of sense with one of the team’s nine picks.

Some players to watch include:

• Tyler Linderbaum, Iowa
• Alec Lindstrom, Boston College
• Dohnovan West, Arizona State
• Dylan Parham, Memphis
• Cameron Jurgens, Nebraska
• Luke Fortner, Kentucky

The Niners’ top pick in this year’s draft comes in Round 2, No. 61 overall, and yet it still wouldn’t be overly shocking to see that selection used on an interior lineman, especially if someone like Linderbaum or Lindstrom winds up falling to that point.

Read More: 49ers 7-round offense-only mock 2022 NFL Draft

If not, perhaps San Francisco looks to address this need by using one of its two third-round picks to find a would-be Mack replacement.

Should this be the case, one might expect the 49ers to sit and develop that rookie as a reserve interior lineman, while Mack gets one more shot at a Super Bowl with the Niners in 2022.

In 2023, though, perhaps Shanahan bucks the trend and elects to get younger at this vital position on the O-line.