The 49ers can afford to infuse some talent into their offensive line entering 2022, so let’s offer up some predictions how the depth chart takes shape.
It isn’t always a sexy or flashy unit to address, but the offensive line has to be a primary area of focus for the San Francisco 49ers entering 2022.
The Niners already lost two key components from this group during the offseason, especially Pro Bowl left guard Laken Tomlinson, who inked a massive three-year deal in NFL free agency to join the New York Jets. And, while nowhere near as substantial, San Francisco also said goodbye to fill-in starter Tom Compton, who at least decently held the line at right tackle in the wake of Mike McGlinchey’s season-ending quad injury.
On top of all that, the 49ers are facing the reality of center Alex Mack possibly retiring a year from now, assuming he’s fully prepared to return in 2022 despite turning 37 years old this upcoming season.
And with question marks arising at both guard spots, it makes more than enough sense for general manager John Lynch and Co. to invest some NFL Draft capital in long-term replacements and immediate upgrades for the O-line this April.
With likely few other options in free agency and the Niners yet to make their choices in this year’s draft, let’s nevertheless go ahead and take a stab at predicting exactly how San Francisco’s O-line takes shape this upcoming season.
Particularly in light of the 49ers using at least one of their nine selections during the draft on an offensive lineman.
Including one pick, let’s jump out of the gate with the predicted starting offensive line.
49ers 2022 offensive line predictions: The starters
- Left tackle: Trent Williams
- Left guard: Aaron Banks
- Center: Alex Mack
- Right guard: Dylan Parham*
- Right tackle: Mike McGlinchey
*denotes rookie
Already, the Niners’ 2022 version of the starting offensive line will look noticeably different, and yet there are a few X-factors already at play here.
No concern is needed for All-Pro left tackle Trent Williams, of course. And as long as Alex Mack, the multiyear Pro Bowler, returns to action for one more season, San Francisco will maintain some continuity there, too.
Mike McGlinchey’s health is something to monitor, and there’s no guarantee he’ll be 100 percent in time for training camp. Yet the 49ers have to hope he will be, especially with the knowledge they can’t afford to open up one more void within this unit.
That brings us to the two guard spots.
The Niners appear poised to name their second-round NFL Draft pick from a year ago, Aaron Banks, as Laken Tomlinson’s heir apparent. Banks, who notably disappointed during training camp and the preseason, ended up seeing only five regular-season snaps his rookie year. Yet Banks, a left guard at Notre Dame, didn’t have a shot at earning that starting role, so one can fairly question whether or not moving back to his natural spot will give him an advantage.
San Francisco has to hope for this.
Finally, the 49ers elect to land Memphis interior lineman Dylan Parham with their top pick in the 2022 draft, No. 61 overall.
Read More: Dylan Parham could be 49ers’ next great offensive lineman
Parham projects as a center at the NFL level but can also double as a guard, possibly upgrading over the Niners’ prior option there, Daniel Brunskill. More importantly, though, San Francisco would be grooming Mack’s eventual replacement in 2023.
49ers 2022 offensive line predictions: The backups
- Daniel Brunskill
- Jaylon Moore
- Justin Skule
- Cordell Volson*
*denotes rookie
One of the advantages of grabbing Dylan Parham, likely with a day-two draft pick, is it would afford the 49ers the opportunity to move Daniel Brunskill back into a primary-backup role, which he excelled at in 2019 during the team’s Super Bowl run.
Brunskill being capable of playing all five positions is a massive plus, and it would remove the need to shuffle around a bunch of starters if someone other than Brunskill suffered a key injury and he was indeed starting at right guard.
While there isn’t a pure backup center, as this prediction would suggest the Niners don’t keep Jake Brendel on the 53-man roster, it’s important to note Parham or Brunskill could adequately back up Alex Mack.
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Meanwhile, both returnees Jaylon Moore and Justin Skule compete for swing-tackle roles entering 2022, however, this would mean third-year pro Colton McKivitz is on the outside, looking in.
With one of nine day-three picks in the NFL Draft, our prediction machine suggests the Niners grab quarterback Trey Lance‘s former teammate at North Dakota State, offensive guard Cordell Volson, whom we already touted as a possible fit for San Francisco.
Volson is far from a plug-and-play starter. But, as a depth piece and someone familiar with Lance’s skill set, there’s plenty of bonus room there.
Now, all that’s needed is for the 49ers to listen to our plans and predictions.