The San Francisco 49ers are a lock to select an offensive lineman with their first round pick in the 2024 NFL Draft. The 49ers have not held a first round pick since selecting Trey Lance in the 2021 NFL Draft. Many analysts around the league are split on what direction the team will go, but you can count on the San Francisco 49ers to select an offensive lineman with the selection. The offensive line is a position of need for the 49ers, and this is the deepest class of offensive lineman entering the draft in the last five years. We’ll take a look at some of the names expected to be available at pick number 31.
San Francisco 49ers Option #1: Arizona OT Jordan Morgan
Jordan Morgan has been the starting left tackle for the University of Arizona for the past three seasons, culminating in a First-Team All-Pac-12 performance in his final season. Morgan’s final season garnered an overall performance grade of 84.3 according to PFF. These accolades have led many analysts to believe that he is a lock to be selected in the first round of the upcoming draft.
Morgan proved to be a better pass-protector than run-blocker during his tenure as a starter in Tucson. He is an athletic specimen, highlighted by his 5.04 40-yard dash and 102-inch broad jump at the NFL Combine. Current NFL player comparisons to Morgan’s testing are Broderick Jones and Alijah Vera-Tucker.
The San Francisco 49ers would welcome a training camp competition to Colton McKivitz, and Morgan might just be able to supplant him for the job. Morgan looks to be able to stand up in pass protection immediately and is athletic enough to maneuver in the zone-blocking scheme in San Francisco. If the 49ers wish to better protect Brock Purdy and enhance the run game, then Jordan Morgan just might be their selection.
San Francisco 49ers Option #2: BYU OT Kingsley Saumataia
Kinglsey Saumataia was a five-star prospect coming out of high school according to 247Sports. He spent one year redshirting at the University of Oregon before transferring to Brigham Young University where he was a two-year starter. Saumataia spent his first year in Provo playing right tackle and transitioned to left tackle for his last year of college.
Saumataia proved to be a better pass-blocker than a run-blocker during his two years of starting experience. He has an athletic profile that was showcased during his NFL Combine performance, highlighted by a 5.04-second 40-yard dash. Saumataia had a solid Senior Bowl performance which many believed to heighten his draft stock. NFL player comparisons to Saumataia are Darnell Wright and Abraham Lucas according to nfldraftbuzz.com.
San Francisco 49ers General Manager John Lynch has to like the athletic profile that Saumataia presents to compete for the starting right tackle job right away. Colton McKivitz is the incumbent starter, but Lynch and Co. might want to add some competition to the roster. Saumataia looks to be able to hold his own in pass protection and is athletic enough to get to the second level to make the needed blocks in the San Francisco 49ers zone-blocking scheme.
San Francisco 49ers Option #3: Oklahoma OT Tyler Guyton
Tyler Guyton spent his first two years in college learning the ropes at TCU before transferring to the University of Oklahoma. Guyton started in 14 games at right tackle during his time in Norman. Guyton’s 2023 campaign culminated in an All Big-12 honorable mention.
Guyton put up better pass-blocking numbers than run-grade numbers during his time at right tackle. Guyton did not showcase the athleticism at the NFL combine as the aforementioned prospects, but his performance was highlighted by a 7.5 second three-cone drill. According to nfldraftbuzz.com, some current NFL player comparisons to Guyton are Spencer Brown and Tyler Steen.
Many draft pundits believe that Guyton has untapped potential that he has not yet showcased, having only started 14 collegiate games. John Lynch must decide if he views this prospect as suitable competition for the starting right tackle job. Guyton looks to be able to hold his own in pass-blocking, but some shaky combine numbers leave the question as to how he fits into the zone-style scheme deployed by the San Francisco 49ers.
John Lynch Must Make Tough Draft Day Decision
San Francisco 49ers General Manager John Lynch will have to wait until pick number 31 to see exactly what options he has to choose from the offensive line market. The Baltimore Ravens are believed to be in the market for an offensive lineman as well, and they hold the 30th pick. This would prompt the idea of the 49ers trading up in the draft to leapfrog the Ravens, guaranteeing that they get the player that they desire.
Of the players previously mentioned, all look to be suitable in pass protection while also fitting the athletic profile needed to fit into the run-game scheme. Last year’s offensive line left a little to be desired from the pass-protection standpoint, and this is an area in which each of these prospects are projected.
In a perfect scenario, John Lynch will draft a plug-and-play right tackle who elevates the offensive line play immediately upon arrival. This player would also stand to take over left tackle duties whenever Trent Williams decides to hang up his cleats.
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