The 49ers are in a potentially advantageous spot in this year’s draft despite not picking until No. 31 overall. Given their need on the offensive line, the depth in this year’s class, and the team’s sizable capital in this year’s draft, there’s a very real possibility San Francisco identifies a player they love earlier than No. 31 and make a jump up the board to snag them.
This has been something the 49ers haven’t been afraid to do in the Kyle Shanahan-John Lynch era. The trade ups don’t always work, but it’s clear when they identify a player they like they’re willing to expend draft picks to move up and snag them.
Here’s a look at a handful of offensive linemen typically going before the 49ers pick in mock drafts that they could wind up moving up to go get:
OL JC Latham
Latham measured in at 6-6, 344 pounds and while he’s a fine pass blocker, it’s his ability to get out and move in the run game that makes him a tantalizing option for the 49ers.
OL Graham Barton
Versatility is what makes Barton a potential trade-up candidate for the 49ers. He played left tackle at Duke and was a three-year starter there, and he could wind up staying there as a pro. His experience at center gives optimism that he could thrive on the interior as well. Given the list of needs the 49ers have on the offensive line, a player who profiles well at multiple positions makes a ton of sense.
OL Jackson Powers-Johnson
Most mock drafts have Powers-Johnson going in a range that might be too steep for a trade up from No. 31. However, if he starts to slide, his experience at all three interior spots and his overall consistency would make him an enticing selection for head coach Kyle Shanahan. If Powers-Johnson could play guard until the team moves on from center Jake Brendel it would be a huge upgrade on the 49ers’ offensive line now and in the future.
OL Troy Fautanu
Fautanu might be the player the 49ers desire the most, but the likelihood that he falls to a range where they can comfortably trade up feels increasingly slim. He projects as an offensive tackle, but he has the size and tools to play guard as well. That versatility is something the 49ers covet and Fautanu might have the highest upside at multiple positions in this year’s offensive line class.
