College football analyst Max Chadwick has the 49ers using the No. 27 overall pick to strengthen the offensive line and protect franchise quarterback Brock Purdy, selecting Utah offensive tackle Caleb Lomu as part of a succession plan at left tackle.
"Trent Williams remains one of the NFL's elite offensive tackles, but at 37 years old, San Francisco needs to start planning for the future at the position," Chadwick wrote. "Lomu offers that succession plan after earning an 82.1 PFF pass-blocking grade as Utah's left tackle, allowing zero sacks on the season."
The 49ers opted not to address their tackle need during the 2025 NFL Draft. Despite widespread expectations that San Francisco would target an offensive lineman early, the team added only one offensive lineman among its 11 selections—guard Connor Colby in the seventh round.
While the organization believes it solidified the right tackle position by signing Colton McKivitz to a contract extension, Williams' long-term future remains uncertain as he navigates the latter stages of his NFL career.
Lomu is listed at 6-foot-6 and over 300 pounds and brings an intriguing blend of size and pass-protection ability. His 82.1 pass-blocking grade from Pro Football Focus marked a career high, though his 62.3 run-blocking grade represented a career low.
The offensive lineman logged 823 total snaps during the season, including 382 pass-blocking snaps, during which he allowed eight total pressures, six hurries, and two quarterback hits, but didn't surrender a single sack.
Lomu started all 12 games in 2025 and earned first-team All-Big 12 honors, making him a potential long-term answer on the 49ers' offensive line.
Related News
More San Francisco 49ers News
-
49ers' Deommodore Lenoir among PFF's make-or-break players for 2026
Pro Football Focus (PFF) wasn't particularly impressed with San Francisco 49ers cornerback Deommodore Lenoir's 2025 season. The veteran earned a 60.3 overall defensive grade from the analytics site—his lowest since his rookie campaign. His 65.7 coverage grade marked his... -
George Kittle's latest recovery video should get 49ers fans hyped
San Francisco 49ers tight end George Kittle suffered a torn Achilles during a playoff game in January. Just six months later, the All-Pro appears well on his way to being ready for the start of the 2026 season. On Friday, strength and conditioning coach Josh Cuthbert shared a... -
49ers have reason to believe Brock Purdy will prove latest ranking wrong
There is disrespect, and then there is whatever this is. Recently, San Francisco 49ers quarterback Brock Purdy found himself on the wrong side of the latest quarterback ranking. Matt Verderame of Sports Illustrated released his preseason quarterback rankings and placed Purdy... -
Deebo Samuel's Latest Comments Are a Powerful Reminder of His 49ers Legacy
Deebo Samuel remains unsigned, but he's confident that his best football is still ahead of him. As training camps begin across the league, Samuel is still one of the top free agents available. In a video on his YouTube channel, he dismissed the idea that his career is...