The San Francisco 49ers have not been known to draft offensive linemen in the first round. The first and only time they did was tackle Mike McGlinchey in 2018, and reports indicate the 49ers don’t consider offensive line a priority with the No. 27 pick.
The Athletic’s Vic Tafur thinks that trend should change in 2026. He wrote that the 49ers should trade up “four or five spots” from their first-round pick to secure Alabama offensive tackle Kadyn Proctor. Tafur believes the 6-foot-7, 352-pound Proctor would be a great understudy for Trent Williams who could eventually take over at the position.
He has rare explosiveness and quick feet for a guy that size, and would be the perfect long-term replacement for left tackle Trent Williams, whenever the 38-year-old (in July) veteran signs off on his restructured contract.
The 49ers really need to embrace this vision, and targeting Proctor likely requires a trade up of four or five spots from No. 27. But that should be OK. A fourth-round pick next year is well worth locking up your left tackle spot post-Williams.
Tafur added that the 49ers should then target an edge rusher with the No. 58 selection in the second round — someone like R Mason Thomas or Zion Young. He also suggested the team “revisit bringing in Joey Bosa,” despite general manager John Lynch claiming the 49ers can’t afford the veteran pass rusher.
Drafting Proctor would surely break from tradition for the Lynch-Shanahan braintrust, but the team needs to start thinking long-term despite playing in a win-now season in 2026.
This article originally appeared on Niners Wire: 49ers reporter suggests dramatic change in team’s draft strategy
Reporting by Oliver G., Niners Wire / Niners Wire
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
