2025 Draft: Offensive Tackles
Part III of our draft preview series looks at our most annoyingly consistent weakness–the offensive line. Per usual, any number before a player dictates their “consensus big board” ranking. Asterisks (*) by names mark some of my favorite prospect/scheme fits.
With the Niners seemingly happy to let Ben Bartch and Nick Zakelj battle it out for the second guard position, this was going to be a write-up about tackles and centers. But then Shanahan had to wax poetic about surefire starter Jake Brendel at the owners’ meetings… so now, this writeup has become only about tackles.
While defenses have started to target some schematic weaknesses in our dropback passing game–namely our preference for hot routes over protection shifts on third and longs–most of our linemen are also just worse at pass blocking than they are at run blocking. Given our heavy lean on the running game and play action, our preference for run blockers makes sense, but it’s also possible to get guys who can do both. We just need to invest the draft capital to find them.
THE SKILLSET
Tackle is where we’re the pickiest, both in terms of athleticism and actually spending draft picks on the position (lol). These guys need to regularly pull off stretch blocks against wide-aligned defensive ends who know it’s coming and coordinate complex combination and switch blocks with tight ends and fullbacks on the edges. This is where quickness, athleticism, and range are critical. Luckily, those are also some of the key athletic traits for strong pass blockers. So there’s no reason why we can’t have both. It’s just difficult when you’re not spending the capital. And since Lynch and Shanahan have arrived, we’ve only spent one draft pick in the first two days on the tackle position.
THE NEED
With Trent getting old and missing a bunch of time last year and Jaylon Moore moving on in free agency, I think we’re well aware that we need to, at least, develop a tackle of the future. I still contend we wanted to take one in the second round of last year’s draft, which was much stronger at the position, but then got sniped by the Ravens (and potentially the Texans and Packers), making the need more pressing this off-season. But given the shape of this tackle class, which has very few prospects who mesh with our system outside of the top of the draft, I don’t think we force it. Maybe our stubbornness is actually a good thing this year and will prevent us from reaching on a prospect. But also… we have to add a tackle eventually? Right?
It’s also worth noting that there are so many guard/tackle tweeners in this draft class that it has actually become quite a ripe class for guards. While I won’t be including any pure guards in this write-up, there’s a chance we snag someone to play along the interior based purely on value in the middle-to-late rounds.
FIRST ROUND
Just a reminder, if you’re looking for descriptions of players we may pick at 11, you wanna check out the 1st round preview.
6. Armand Membou, Missouri
11. Will Campbell, LSU
18. Kelvin Banks Jr., Texas
25. Josh Simmons, Ohio State
SECOND ROUND
33. Josh Conerly, Oregon
6-5, 311 lbs.
Ascending athlete with sky-high potential who needs to add power and reps
Conerly started his high school career as a running back, so it should be no surprise that he’s an excellent mover, and his frame, length (33.5” arms), athleticism, and upward trajectory are all enticing fits for our scheme. He’s been mocked a bit in the first round—which seems a tad early—but in the second, the value feels better. But for all the upside Conerly has, it’s important to note that he’s likely in for some rough reps until he gets settled in the NFL.
At the moment, Conerly lacks punch and heft and can get bullied by bigger players. And while his burst and foot quickness are both excellent, they can be hindered at times by holes in his technique. So while he’s had his moments of rapid growth–a strong performance against Abdul Carter late in the season being one of them–he also suffers from some brutal reps, often when he gets overpowered–like his viral bulldozing at the hands of Mike Green during Senior Bowl practice. That could lead to some growing pains and PTSD flashbacks of ugly losses from McGlinchey and McKivitz over the years. The potential and trajectory are both pointing up. Just don’t expect him to be a plus performer out of the gate.
40. OT/OG, Donovan Jackson, Ohio State
6-4, 315 lbs.
A career guard whose emergency move to left tackle has bumped up his draft stock
A long-time guard who was considered purely an interior prospect until early this fall, Jackson bounced out to left tackle when Josh Simmons went down early in the season and was such a natural that he’s now being looked at for both positions. A film rat who had the best GPA on the team, Jackson’s got good agility for the zone stretch game, solid power as a run blocker, and could have genuine guard/tackle flexibility. There are some false steps and sustain issues in his game, and he probably still projects best as a guard, but the Niners are sure to like his intelligence.
57. OT, Aireontae Ersey, Minnesota
6-6, 331 lbs.
Heavy-handed monster of a tackle who moves better than he should
Minnesota’s massive, powerful tackle may not fit the mold of the typical players we employ outside, but he spent three years in the Golden Gophers’ zone scheme and moves very well for his size. He’s a person mover, with a strong punch and grippy hands, although I’m sure scouts were hoping his arm length (33.5”) would measure past 34” to help make up for some of his shortcomings. He’s a better-than-expected athlete but not a great one, and there’s some technical sloppiness in his game that he’ll need to clean up to make up for his size and the fact that he plays a bit high. He still feels like he’s bound for more of an inside zone/gap/power-based scheme, but–despite his size–I wouldn’t consider him out of the running.
THIRD ROUND
*67. OT/OG, Marcus Mbow, Purdue
6-4, 303 lbs.
Great athlete and easy mover who lacks proper tackle size but has a puncher’s chance to stick there
Mbow is more likely than not a guard on the NFL level (or maybe even a center?), but he’s going in this write-up anyway because I like him and the pickens at tackle (for our scheme at least) are SLIM. A former basketball player, Mbow is an excellent mover and one of the better athletes in this OL class, with twitch, fluidity, and good hand usage in everything he does. But he is very light for tackle and has super short arms (32”). He needs mass and more reps wherever he winds up, but he’s got the look of a starter somewhere in a scheme like ours with potential five position swing ability as well.
71. OT, Ozzy Trapilo, Boston College
6-8, 316 lbs.
Giant pass pro-first tackle with NFL bloodlines who might benefit from being more giant
A towering three-year starter at right tackle, Ozzy–whose father was an NFL tackle–is technically sound with solid movement skills. He showed added power this year and does a good job of using his size in the passing game, but that same size–his height in particular–can make it tough for him to get leverage and generate movement in the run game. He’d probably benefit from added weight to help him lean into the “huge guy” style of tackle play, but–either way–he may not be the best fit for our offense.
89. Cameron Williams, Texas
6-6, 317 lbs.
A prototypical frame that needs many firmware updates to be game-ready
With solid athleticism and ideal size and length, it’s not hard to imagine why people like Williams. At his best, he can engulf defenders in the run game and present a brick wall to pass rushers. But everything about him is raw. He’s not technically sound, he’s not consistent, and his issues show up clearly in his huge number of penalties (18 in 16 career starts). The upside is there, but the development curve will be lengthy. He’s nowhere near ready.
*91. OT, Charles Grant, William & Mary
6-5, 311 lbs.
Polished, high-upside FCS prospect with traits and a track record that project quite well
Yet another late riser who I’d penciled in as a lock for us at the top of the fourth round, Grant’s stock has skyrocketed to the point where it is very hard to determine where he gets selected. In a class that has so few guys with prototypical tackle frames, Grant is the exception. The two-time FCS All-American pairs excellent height and length (34.75” arms) with great athleticism, a physical mindset, and consistent, high-level technique. He’s a five-year college player who started 41 games over that time and whose technique is more advanced than many of the big school guys ahead of him. He may benefit from added bulk, and the step up in competition will be significant, but both the foundation and traits feel likely to travel well to the next level. He may or may not be a day 1 starter, but this feels like the type of prospect who can be had at an FCS discount with big-time payoff at a critical position.
95. Anthony Belton, N.C. State
6-6, 336 lbs.
The biggest of the big men with big man skills and big man problems
An absolute behemoth who is hard to miss, Belton’s a big player who plays a big man style of football. He does a good job of anchoring down, locking out defenders with his long arms, and mauling people with his strength. But while his footwork and speed are better than you’d expect on inside zone runs, when a defender forces him to change direction, his lack of movement skills shows up in a hurry. His recovery ability isn’t great, which can lead to misses and penalties (eight in each of the past three seasons). He’s a power tackle who doesn’t really fit our offense.
DAY 3
What’s that you say? There are only two true tackles in the entire second day who feel like good scheme fits? Yep. Last year was the year to get a tackle who you planned to play early. This year, not so much. But at least there are some interesting developmental guys.
At 6-7.5, 304 pounds, *Chase Lundt (UConn), is a great athlete who thrives in space, whether that’s on pulls and traps or blocking and sustaining on-the-move in the wide zone concepts we love so much. But he lacks size and power in all facets of his game, which isn’t helped by his naturally high pad level and his shorter arms (32 ⅝). He feels like a swing tackle (at least). And if he can add mass to his lower body while keeping his movement skills intact, perhaps more. (4th)
A one-year starter with a boom-or-bust trajectory, Logan Brown (Kansas) is a big dude with good athleticism, heavy hands, and impressive power. But while the wins look great, bad habits and sloppy technique also contribute to some ugly losses. It’s not hard to see a starter down the road, but it’s also not hard to see his technique never approaching a playable level. (4th-5th)
A Princeton transfer with just one year of FBS ball under his belt, *Jalen Travis (Iowa State) is a solid athlete who excels at blocking on the move in the run game and has the quicks and intelligence for pass protection. With middling strength, he gets into trouble when guys get into his pads and/or overwhelm him, but the foundation and athleticism make for an intriguing developmental project. (5th-6th)
A good mover with a basketball background, Branson Taylor (Pitt) has good slide quickness, hands, and initial pop in the run game. But his lack of length and sustain issues hold him back. He’s on an upward trajectory, although he may wind up at guard. (6th)
Yet another former basketball player, Esa Pole (Washington State) is nowhere near game ready as an NFL player, but he’s got a big body with nimble feet and powerful hands and only started playing football in 2021. The flashes, traits, and freshness to the game are all intriguing as a late-round flier. (6th-7th)
A project through and through, Caleb Etienne (BYU) has great size (6-7, 329 lbs.), length (36” arms), and testing athleticism (5.01 forty), but he never really put it together until this year—his sixth in college. Even if his quickness may not match the testing numbers, there’s some intrigue here as a developmental flier. (UDFA)
BLIND GUESS
We’ve had meetings with four of the five highest-rated tackles in this draft, so we know the Niners brass are doing their due diligence at the position. But at 11, the value may not be there. And in a class where a lot of the highest-rated tackles lack ideal length and could be better fits at guard, a mid-round developmental pick may prove prudent.
I personally love Charles Grant as a guy with long-term tools who may be ready to play sooner rather than later. Lundt is intriguing as well if we think he can add some mass. But given the scarcity of scheme fits and the many other needs on our roster, nothing is guaranteed. Regardless of how/when we address the position, what I really want is for us to invest in traits. We’ve spent too many years picking guys late with physical limitations who may—eventually—play above their draft slots but whose ceilings are hard-capped by measurables. McKivitz and Skule (who both started for their respective teams last year), and Zakelj (if he starts and performs okay this year) are all impressive developmental wins. No one is doubting that. But that’s a lot of time to put into developing players who lack upside.
If a draft prospect doesn’t seem wired right or the staff feels like he lacks the intelligence to cut it in our scheme, then I get it. Hard pass. But we need to add some guys who could become high-level starters down the road rather than settle for back-of-roster types on the cheap who we build up over the years into part-time starters or average full-timers. Yes, we’re coaching well and squeezing value out of late rounders. But at some point, it becomes a little too much like what the SF Giants have been doing. Winning on the margins is great. It’s a tremendous indicator of sustainability and often separates good teams from great ones. But committing only to those margins when there are higher-level options available for nothing but the sake of value squeezing is how mediocre teams and mediocre positional groups get and stay mediocre.
Tackle may or may not be a “right now” need, but it is a giant looming one sooner rather than later. So if we’re gonna spend a pick in this draft to find the next man up, let’s spend it on a guy who could excel at that position rather than just hold down the fort and maintain a status quo that we’re not happy with.
Go Niners 🏈👍