5 offensive NFL Draft prospects 49ers must have atop big board
By Peter Panacy
Pick Analysis. Offensive Tackle. Washington State. Abraham Lucas. 4. Scouting Report. 846. player
No. 4 player on 49ers NFL Draft big board: OT Abraham Lucas, Washington State
Moving away from luxury picks and more towards the Niners’ true needs for the NFL Draft, Washington State offensive tackle Abraham Lucas has already ended up on a couple of Niner Noise mock drafts, including one focusing solely on Pac-12 players.
The 6-foot-6, 315-pound Lucas is far from a perfect O-line prospect, and he has a ways to go before turning into a high-quality pass blocker. But his run-support efforts jive with what Kyle Shanahan would want out of a lineman on the right side of the line.
San Francisco could end up having two pressing needs on this side of the line, too, first starting off with the desire to upgrade over right guard Daniel Brunskill, who has been serviceable if not spectacular as a starter.
The bigger need, however, might be replacing incumbent starting right tackle Mike McGlinchey, though, who suffered a serious quad injury in the middle of 2021 and might not be 100 percent by the time training camp rolls around.
In addition to that, McGlinchey is unsigned in 2023 when his rookie contract expires, and there’s no guarantee the 49ers have any interest in re-signing him.
If that’s the case, someone like Lucas might be the heir apparent and eventual replacement for McGlinchey, immediately filling in as a depth piece or upgrade over Brunskill.