We’ve been getting a late push from national reporters saying the San Francisco 49ers are looking to trade out with their eyes on an offensive lineman. History has proven that this regime drafts for need rather than for the future.
Trent Williams will be around for a couple of more seasons. That decision to extend Williams shouldn’t impact whether the 49ers add his replacement or a player who could play left guard until Williams hangs up the cleats.
The 49ers have made a habit of drafting defensive
linemen in the first round of the draft. General manager John Lynch told the media, “that was always going to be at the forefront” when speaking about how big a need an edge rusher was for the 49ers as they enter the draft:
The more good players you can add up front. We’ve always talked about, making life on opposing offenses, on opposing quarterbacks, you want them to have to perform under duress. It’s the great equalizer in today’s football. So much set up for the offense to have success. Can you put that quarterback under duress? Can you hit that quarterback? Can you pressure that quarterback?
One reason some oppose drafting an offensive lineman in the first round is the Niners’ inability to pressure the quarterback last season. If you’re listing what held the team back last season, the pass rush, or lack thereof, comfortably clears any perceived shoddy line play.
Lynch acknowledged those struggles:
“We fell short of that last year. Are there some reasons? Absolutely. [DL] Nick Bosa was hurt, Mykel got hurt halfway through. But, I think we need to get better in that spot. We need to get these guys back healthy, and then we need to improve there. Really excited about free agency. Adding [DL] Osa [Odighizuwa], I just asked Corry, help me with the pronunciation, adding Osa, I think he can really be an impact player. We really believe that he’s going to impact who we are in all facets of the game. Having [DL] Keion [White] now another year with some more experience with who we are, but absolutely you’re always trying to add there, and we’ll be open to that.”
Keion White isn’t going to prevent the 49ers from adding a pass rusher after his 1.5 sacks last season. There were bright spots, like White’s pressure rate when aligned as a defensive tackle. That’s also where Kyle Shanahan said the plan was for Mykel Williams to play on obvious passing downs. Everybody can’t kick inside, leaving the door open for an edge rusher.
One of the reasons the 49ers might “seriously consider” trading down from No. 27 overall is that the edge rushers in that range are projected second-rounders.
Clemson’s T.J. Parker is the only player listed on the consensus big board in the 20s. He’s at 29. Cashius Howell, Zion Young, and Malachi Lawrence–the flavor of the week at 27– are all listed in the 30s.
Of course, it takes two to tango. The 49ers would need to find somebody else willing to move up. They could also stay put and ensure they have a fifth-year option on the prospect they select.
