The San Francisco 49ers could finally be looking to select Trent Williams’s replacement in the 2026 NFL Draft.
On Tuesday, Utah offensive tackle Caleb Lomu, projected to be a first-round pick, posted that he was in the building at the 49ers facility, confirming a visit ahead of the draft.
Then, NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport shared that Alabama offensive tackle Kadyn Proctor, also a projected first-round pick, recently visited with the 49ers on a top-30 visit as well. Rapoport noted that Proctor has also spent
time with the Kansas City Chiefs, Miami Dolphins, Cleveland Browns, Detroit Lions, Arizona Cardinals, and Philadelphia Eagles.
The news is quite interesting as the 49ers haven’t drafted an offensive tackle in the first round since taking Mike McGlinchey back in 2018 at No. 9 overall. They haven’t drafted one in the second round during that timeframe either (the only offensive lineman the 49ers have drafted in the first two rounds under Kyle Shanahan is Aaron Banks).
But there is a pressing need for a tackle of the future, with Trent Williams inching closer to 40 years old, which the 49ers have not addressed over the past few seasons. Moreover, San Francisco has an opening at left guard that a rookie could fill in Year 1 before kicking back out to tackle in Year 2.
Proctor is one of the more polarizing offensive line prospects in the class. He’s had some inconsistent years in college, but the highs have been really high, and he’s a very unique athlete at 6’7, 352 pounds. Here’s what NFL.com’s Lance Zierlein had to say about Proctor:
“Proctor is a mass of humanity with rare size and length at his command. He’s capable as a move blocker but shines when rolling downhill as a bona-fide people mover with bulldozing power. However, slants and quick first steps beat him to the spot in the run game.
“When set and centered, Proctor is a roadblock to speed-to-power charges. He has a stout anchor and strong hands to stall the rush in its track. He struggles to mirror athletes in space and lacks the range to protect deeper pocket drops against speed. Inconsistency in pass protection hasn’t helped his draft standing, but he still has the potential to become a good right tackle or very good guard.”
When you look at the teams that have also considered Proctor, a majority of them are in the backend of the first round. The Lions have a big need at tackle and are at No. 17. The Eagles have the No. 23 pick. The Browns hold the No. 24 pick. The Chiefs are at No. 29. The Dolphins are at No. 30. And the Cardinals are near the top of the second round at No. 34.
So, there seems to be a range where Proctor could fall in the upcoming draft. Heading into the draft, there seem to be five projected first-round offensive tackles: Francis Mauigoa, Monroe Freeling, Kadyn Proctor, Spencer Fano, and Caleb Lomu.
With what’s perceived as a dropoff after those top five, the offensive tackles could be pushed up the board on draft night, but it seems San Francisco is doing its due diligence on the bunch as they prepare with the No. 27 pick.
