49ers NFL Draft: 5 prospects who could be Day 1 starters in 2022

49ers prospect No. 4: Center Tyler Linderbaum, Iowa

A few things here when looking at the idea of the 49ers drafting Iowa center Tyler Linderbaum.

One, it’ll be a bit of a long shot for Linderbaum to fall all the way to pick No. 61 overall, and many a mock draft out there projects Linderbaum to be a late first-round pick. Although it’s rare to see teams use a Round 1 selection on an interior offensive lineman unless he projects as a perennial All-Pro (see Indianapolis Colts offensive guard Quenton Nelson).

Two, even if Linderbaum does fall, he probably doesn’t end up starting right away at center, provided Pro Bowl veteran Alex Mack indeed avoids pressing the “retirement” button this offseason.

However, that doesn’t rule out the possibility of the 6-foot-2, 296-pound Linderbaum stepping in right away at guard.

A bit undersized, Linderbaum is nevertheless one of the technically soundest interior linemen in this year’s draft, and the Niners have already shown a knack for liking Iowa offensive players, having previously drafted tight end George Kittle and quarterback C.J. Beathard way back in 2017.

With the real chance that San Francisco looks to address both guard spots, either over right guard Daniel Brunskill or as a replacement for now-New York Jets left guard Laken Tomlinson, slotting someone like Linderbaum into the starting lineup would be a high probability if he somehow winds up slipping deep into Round 2.

Once Mack retires, Linderbaum would revert to his natural position at center.