Photo Credit: Kyle Terada-Imagn Images
Once again, the San Francisco 49ers left the NFL Draft without selecting an offensive tackle — and that has raised plenty of eyebrows.
Just like in 2018, the Niners entered the 2025 NFL Draft coming off a six-win season, holding a top-11 pick, and needing help at tackle. Back in 2018, they surprised some by picking Notre Dame’s Mike McGlinchey at No. 9, even though Joe Staley and Trent Brown were already on the roster. The team traded Brown to the Patriots shortly after, clearing the way for McGlinchey to start. He went on to play five solid seasons before signing with the Denver Broncos in 2023.
Now, with McGlinchey gone, and 36-year-old Trent Williams nearing the end of his career, it seemed like the 49ers were finally ready to invest in another offensive tackle. But that didn’t happen.
They’ve now gone four straight drafts — 2022 through 2025 — without selecting a single tackle. The last one they drafted was Jaylon Moore in the fifth round in 2021. Moore just signed with the Chiefs on a two-year, $30 million deal. Meanwhile, right tackle Colton McKivitz will soon become a free agent.
Still, San Francisco avoided the position again this year, even with the 11th overall pick. They didn’t even sign a tackle as an undrafted free agent. Instead, they added veteran D.J. Humphries two days after the draft.
Why the 49ers Passed Again
General manager John Lynch explained the decision by saying the board never lined up the right way.
“There were a number of times that we had interest in adding, and it just didn’t come our way,” Lynch said. “And you’ve got to stay true to where you have guys graded, not take guys just to take them, but to take guys that you’re interested in at that point. And it just never really aligned.”
The 49ers are known for being picky about their offensive linemen. Since Kyle Shanahan and Lynch arrived in 2017, they’ve valued athletic tackles who can move well in the run game. Offensive line coach Chris Foerster has even said that they prefer tackles with at least 34-inch arms and guards with 33-inch arms — something not every top prospect meets.
That may explain why LSU’s Will Campbell and Missouri’s Armand Membou — the first two tackles drafted — might not have fit their standards. Texas tackle Kelvin Banks also didn’t meet the team’s physical requirements, but they still hosted him for a pre-draft visit. He was taken at No. 9 by the Saints, two spots ahead of the 49ers.
With their first-round pick, the Niners selected Georgia pass rusher Mykel Williams. They also looked at Oregon’s Josh Conerly Jr., who took a pre-draft visit to team headquarters, but he went 29th to Washington.
Lynch said the team got exactly what they wanted with their first three picks: Williams (Round 1), defensive tackle Alfred Collins (Round 2), and linebacker Nick Martin (Round 3).
But when it came time to make their third-round compensatory pick at No. 100, two offensive tackles the team had shown interest in — Caleb Rogers (Texas Tech) and Charles Grant (William & Mary) — were taken just before by the Raiders at picks 98 and 99. So, the 49ers pivoted to Western Kentucky cornerback Upton Stout.
“We knew we wanted a nickel [corner],” Lynch said. “There were a number of guys in play there.”
Only One Offensive Lineman Taken
In the end, the 49ers didn’t take a tackle at all. They waited until the seventh round to draft Iowa’s Connor Colby — a player who started some games at right tackle but will play guard in the NFL. Lynch said Colby fits their offense well, especially because Iowa’s run scheme is similar to San Francisco’s.
Colby will compete for the open left guard spot left by Aaron Banks, joining a group that includes Ben Bartch, Matt Hennessy, and Spencer Burford.
“We were happy to add Colby,” Lynch said. “We think he’s a really good Scheme fit . Great thing about Iowa is they run a very similar, they run a lot of outside zones, so you get to see a guy like him do things that we do and he does them well.”
Still No Clear Swing Tackle
When the draft wrapped up, Shanahan admitted that the swing tackle job — the key backup at both tackle spots — was still up for grabs. He mentioned Burford, Austen Pleasants, and Sebastian Gutierrez as potential options but added that the team might look for outside help closer to the season.
“There are usually other options too, as the season goes or all the way up until the season,” Shanahan said. “There are options usually after cuts at the end of training camp. So, we’ll see what our opening-day roster is, but we’ve got a lot of competition for there. But it’s definitely not solidified yet.”
Just two days later, the 49ers signed veteran D.J. Humphries. The former Cardinals tackle is coming off an ACL tear but is reportedly healthy and ready to go. He gives the team a veteran swing tackle option but isn’t a long-term solution.
Looking Ahead to 2026
By choosing to address the defensive line instead of the offensive front again, the 49ers have delayed solving a growing problem. Trent Williams won’t play forever, McKivitz might not return, and there’s no clear replacement waiting in the wings.
That’s why, unless they make a big move before next season, the 49ers may have no choice but to finally use high draft capital on an offensive tackle in 2026.
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This report used information from ESPN.
