49ers can target these 5 small-school prospects in 2022 NFL Draft
By Peter Panacy
49ers small-school prospect No. 2: OT Trevor Penning, Northern Iowa
The 49ers probably should worry more about the interior of their offensive line in this year’s draft, but it’s feasible they look for some options over at right tackle, too.
Currently, it appears as if veteran tackle Mike McGlinchey is poised to return after suffering a serious quad tear in the middle of last season. Even if he does, though, McGlinchey is a free agent in 2023, and there’s no guarantee the Niners plan on bringing him back.
Perhaps San Francisco seeks a long-term replacement now by targeting Northern Iowa offensive tackle Trevor Penning, who could immediately serve as a swing-tackle backup.
Penning, 6-foot-7 and 330 pounds, has desirable move speed and ran a 4.89 40-yard time at the NFL Scouting Combine. There’s no undercutting his physicality, and Penning has a nice mean streak to him.
Plus, he’d be an NFL-level run blocker right out of the gate. It’s essentially what McGlinchey was back when he was drafted in Round 1 in 2018.
Likely a day-two pick, Penning could easily be someone the 49ers view as McGlinchey’s eventual replacement.