The Draft Network's Ryan Fowler reports that the San Francisco 49ers recently visited with Pitt offensive lineman Branson Taylor and held a private workout with the draft prospect.


The offensive line is a clear area of need for the 49ers heading into the 2025 NFL Draft. The team lost starting left guard Aaron Banks in free agency, and All-Pro left tackle Trent Williams will turn 37 before the season begins. San Francisco may look to invest multiple draft picks to bolster protection for quarterback Brock Purdy.


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Taylor (6-6, 321) appeared in 45 games (21 starts) with the Pitt Panthers over five seasons. In 2024, he posted a career-high 76.4 pass-blocking grade from Pro Football Focus (PFF) as a starter, though that came in a limited sample of just 343 snaps. He started the first six games at left tackle, surrendering nine pressures and two sacks, before a knee injury sidelined him for the remainder of the season.

"He has average foot quickness and struggles to redirect defenders who get on his edges," wrote NFL Media analyst Lance Zierlein in his draft profile. "He has shorter arms, with pass sets that are vulnerable to speed outside and counters inside. A move to guard could clear up those issues and give him a chance to fight for playing time in a power-based running scheme."

Taylor also played in 11 games in 2023, earning a solid 73.1 PFF pass-blocking grade while allowing 11 pressures and two sacks over 640 snaps. However, his run-blocking grades have lagged behind, failing to top 57.9 in either of the past two seasons.

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