The San Francisco 49ers may be chasing another Super Bowl this season, but they also have to keep an eye on the future.
That’s the premise behind Nate Tice’s latest mock draft
, which has the 49ers selecting Utah offensive tackle Zereoue Williams. At 6-foot-7 and 275 pounds, Williams would give San Francisco a developmental option at a position that could become a major need whenever Trent Williams eventually steps away.Tice acknowledged that he has made this prediction before, but he believes the situation still makes sense.
Every year, I tab the 49ers with an offensive tackle in these mock drafts, swearing that this is the year Trent Williams falls off and they select his long-term replacement. Trent Williams has battled an injury already, but
his play has definitely not fallen off. And yet here I am again, back at it with another tackle with the same last name in Zereoue Williams. Williams is an easy-moving athlete with enough pop as a blocker to play on both sides of the football. Kyle Shanahan is the best at working with whatever offensive line talent he has. Williams would give him a player who could be useful for the short-term and give him a plan for whenever Trent Williams decides to hang them up. Which might never happen at this rate.
Zereoue Williams started at left tackle in each of Utah’s first four games this season and also played in all 13 games for the Utes in 2025, primarily at left tackle and on special teams.
It would be an untraditional pick for Kyle Shanahan and general manager John Lynch, who haven't used a first- or second-round pick on a lineman since Aaron Banks went No. 48 overall in 2021. The team's solid line is a testament to their scouting and coaching, but at some point they'll need to replace their aging veterans with some young talent. This Williams could be that player.
This article originally appeared on Niners Wire: 49ers win Super Bowl, address major need in mock draft
