It's time for the San Francisco 49ers to finally address one the biggest looming hole on its roster.
After avoiding adding Trent Williams' replacement early in the last couple of drafts, the 2027 draft is a perfect time for the 49ers to take a swing at finding their left tackle of the future with a first-round pick.
That's the route the 49ers went in Todd McShay's mock draft for the Ringer where they selected South Carolina offensive tackle Jacarrius Peak.
Who the 49ers select in a mock draft published in September matters less than the process playing out. Perhaps Peak is available at No. 26 where San Francisco sits in McShay's mock. Perhaps he falls to the second round. The bottom line is next year's draft is the time for the 49ers to select Williams'
heir apparent.
What makes it difficult is if Williams is going to play in 2027 there's no real role for a rookie first-round pick behind Williams and right tackle Colton McKivitz. The 49ers would effectively be stashing a long-term LT option as a swing tackle in his rookie season since the 38-year-old future Hall of Famer has indicated 2027 may well be his last in the NFL.
That has to be something the 49ers are willing to do at this point though if they want to maximize having Williams on their roster. Replacing him the year he retires robs the future left tackle of valuable time working with and learning from Williams.
We've generally rejected the idea of the 49ers using a first-round pick on a left tackle while Williams has been on the team. With his career clock winding down, they can't kick the can down the road much longer. Offensive tackle has been a popular mock draft idea for San Francisco for multiple years now. They've avoided it in the draft, addressing their receiving corps and defensive line instead.
2027 is the time they prove analysts like McShay correct and find their OT of the future.
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This article originally appeared on Niners Wire: It's time 49ers finally address biggest looming roster issue in draft
