For years, ESPN analyst Matt Miller has urged the San Francisco 49ers to prioritize their often-overlooked offensive line early in the draft. Last year, the team found a starting right guard in Dominick Puni, but significant concerns remain. Left tackle Trent Williams will be 37 at the start of the 2025 season, left guard Aaron Banks is set to hit free agency, and center Jake Brendel's play has been underwhelming. Meanwhile, right tackle Colton McKivitz showed improvement in 2024 but has frequently faced criticism for his pass protection.

With quarterback Brock Purdy on the verge of becoming one of the NFL's highest-paid players, Miller believes it's time for the 49ers to make a serious investment in their offensive line. In his latest two-round mock draft, Miller has general manager John Lynch and head coach Kyle Shanahan using their first two selections to fortify the trenches.


After finishing the 2024 season with a 6-11 record, the 49ers hold the 11th overall pick. Miller projects them to select Ohio State offensive tackle Josh Simmons with that pick.

"Christian McCaffrey's injury issues were the headline for the 49ers' offensive woes this season, yet their offensive line was a mess and will be a priority fix for general manager John Lynch," Miller wrote. "The 49ers made a great selection on guard Dominick Puni in the third round of the 2024 draft, but a plug-and-play right tackle who could eventually take over for All-Pro left tackle Trent Williams could be the next step. Simmons is recovering from a torn ACL suffered Oct. 12, but he was in the mix to be the first tackle off the board prior to getting hurt."

In Miller's mock draft, Simmons is the third offensive lineman selected, following LSU's Will Campbell (New York Jets, No. 7) and Texas' Kelvin Banks Jr. (Chicago Bears, No. 10).

In the second round, Miller has the 49ers selecting North Dakota State offensive lineman Grey Zabel, a player he believes could be a long-term replacement for Brendel at center.

"The 49ers could address the offensive line again to try to further fix that problem unit," Miller explained. "Zabel has played tackle, guard and center, but I think he fits best inside, where his toughness and awareness could make him a star. He turned heads during Senior Bowl practices."


If the 49ers spend their first two picks on offensive linemen, the move would likely be well-received by fans who endured a shaky unit this past season. Purdy, too, would welcome the reinforcements, as improved protection could be crucial to helping the 49ers bounce back from a disappointing 2024 campaign.

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