49ers post-NFL Combine mock draft roundup: O-line still the sexy choice

With the NFL Combine in the books, most mock drafts still project the 49ers to use their first-round pick on an offensive lineman.

The annual NFL Scouting Combine can mean both nothing and everything when it comes to prospect evaluation.

Sure, running a record-setting 4.21 40-yard time is great for Texas wide receiver Xavier Worthy, but that doesn't automatically translate into him being an absolute game-changer at the pro level.

Although it'll certainly help his NFL Draft stock.

The San Francisco 49ers likely won't get their hands on Worthy. In fact, they're probably not thinking about wide receivers in Round 1 at all. For the most part, they're likely to focus more on other pressing needs instead of luxury picks early in the draft.

Prior to the combine, the offensive line seemed to be the biggest need of them all. With the combine now in the books, it doesn't appear as if much has changed, at least according to some of the more recent mock drafts out there.

Let's take a look at which prospects are now being pegged to the Niners at No. 31 overall.

49ers 2024 mock draft roundup, post-NFL Combine edition

This year's O-line class is notably talented and deep, which means San Francisco likely strikes multiple times with a few of its 11 projected draft picks. It could also mean the 49ers pass on a lineman at No. 31 overall while knowing they can get a talented starter later on.

That doesn't seem to be the overwhelming consensus after the NFL Combine, though.

Lance Zierlein, NFL.com: DT Jer'Zhan Newton, Illinois

"With defensive tackle Javon Kinlaw potentially headed out of town via free agency, I'll give the 49ers a talented pass rusher with good size who could come in and compete for rush-down reps early on."

Ryan Wilson, CBS Sports: Edge Darius Robinson, Missouri

"Darius Robinson quietly had a dominant season for the Tigers, and followed that up with a not-so-quiet Senior Bowl week, where he showed he can play both as an edge rusher or kick inside. I don't care that he ran a 4.95-second 40-yard dash at the combine; he's 6-foot-5 and 285 pounds with 34.5-inch arms and a 35-inch vertical. He's explosive and powerful and feels like a natural fit in San Francisco."

Marcus Mosher, The 33rd Team: OT Jordan Morgan, Arizona

"There isn’t a better fit for Jordan Morgan than the San Francisco 49ers. Kyle Shanahan’s offense needs athletic offensive linemen, and Morgan certainly fits the mold. He could play either tackle spot for San Francisco, but his best position in the NFL might be at guard."

Nate Davis, USA Today: Edge Darius Robinson, Missouri

"While O-line should be a consideration here, the NFC champs need to reload a defensive front on the cusp of losing starting DE Chase Young and all of its primary backups (Randy Gregory, Javon Kinlaw, Clelin Ferrell and others). Robinson, a 6-5, 285-pound All-SEC selection, has the size and athleticism to play inside or out while thriving against the run or pass – especially if given the opportunity to develop alongside proven players like Nick Bosa, Javon Hargrave and Arik Armstead."

Gordon McGuinness, Pro Football Focus: OT Amarius Mims, Georgia

"Mims has all the talent to go well before this, but his lack of experience — he has played just 803 snaps in his college career — pushes him a little further down the board for me. He earned PFF grades above 70.0 in all three seasons of his career and moves way better than you would expect for a player who weighs in at 340 pounds."

Keith Sanchez, The Draft Network: OL Graham Barton, Duke

"The 49ers have one of the best rosters in the NFL, but they do need to improve this offense line. With this pick, they go with arguably the most versatile offensive line prospect in the draft, Graham Barton. Barton has plug-and-play talent and should come right in and be an immediate upgrade."

Cody Williams, Fansided: OL Troy Fautanu, Washington

"He was one of the standouts at the NFL Combine not entirely due to his testing, but simply just watching him in the drills. His smooth, fluid movements combined with the power that you see on tape – and with him checking some boxes with his length in measurements too – mean that he could succeed at guard or tackle.

The 49ers need help at either spot and would be wise to bring in Fautanu to find where they could best use him moving forward."

Jeremy Wohlfart, Niner Noise: OT Jordan Morgan, Arizona

"Morgan might not play for a powerhouse school, but he had an excellent season with only one sack allowed for the Wildcats.

His school measurements are at 6-foot-4 and 312 pounds, so it'll be interesting to see how his measurables compare because of his short arms, but he's the perfect player who can start right away at right tackle and then move over the blindside when Trent Williams retires."

While a few defensive linemen have now crept their way into the Niners' consideration at No. 31, it still appears as if an O-lineman will be the choice here.

That said, knowing how fluid prospects' stock values can be between the NFL Combine and Round 1 of the draft, don't expect any of this to be locked in stone whatsoever.

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