With free agency and the new league year commencing this week, it has been relatively quiet on the San Francisco 49ers front. The hiring of Matt Eberflus as a defensive assistant and the re-signings of long snapper Jon Weeks and kicker Eddy Piñeiro have been the only prevalent transactional footnotes so far.

Once the NFL calendar officially resets, the 49ers will have important personnel decisions to make: Will Jauan Jennings be retained? Will Mac Jones be traded? Which positions to target in free agency? etc.


Aside from Jauan Jennings, the contract status of Trent Williams needs to be addressed soon.

Entering the final year of his restructured 3-year, $82 million deal, an extension has been discussed, but the front office and Williams are at an impasse and have temporarily tabled negotiations. An agreement was reached a year and a half ago, so given the good relationship the 49ers have had with Williams, coupled with his durability and good play, there is optimism that a deal will get done.

Williams turns 38 this summer. Despite his tenure and productivity, he is getting long in the tooth. This upcoming draft is littered with athletic prospects from multiple skill positions on both sides of the ball, but if the 49ers want to make a smart future investment rather than the sexy skill position pick, they should draft Williams's successor at left tackle.

If a deal is met in the upcoming weeks, the 49ers and Williams are both happy campers, but it's fair to presume that Williams wants fair market value in his next contract. Could there be a scenario in which, if negotiations continue to stall, the 49ers trade or release Williams? It would be a significant short-term dead cap hit, but long-term, a new left tackle would be younger, more athletic, and cheaper.

Francis Mauigoa of Miami and Spencer Fano of Utah are two of the highly touted tackles in this year's draft, and both are predicted to be off the board within the first 12 picks. Aside from those two, there is an abundance of tackles to draft from, and with the 49ers selecting at 27, any of which should be available.


CALEB LOMU (Utah)


A former four-star recruit standing at 6'6" and 300+ lbs., Caleb Lomu began his college career in 2023, redshirting for the Utes with limited playing time. Starting 24 games the past two seasons, Lomu earned First Team All-Big 12 honors.

His run-blocking metrics are below average, but his quick first step, athleticism, and technique versus speed edge rushers have put his draft prospects at a potential late first-round pick. He has plenty of upside as well.

KADYN PROCTOR (Alabama)


Kadyn Proctor is a behemoth of a young man at 6'7", 350 lbs., and his Combine metrics were impressive. Recording a 5.21-second 40-yard dash time and 32 1/2 inches on vertical jump are rare numbers for a tackle of his size. He earned First Team All-SEC honors and the Jacobs Blocking Trophy (awarded to the top blocker in the SEC).

There are injury and durability concerns, but the measurables are impressive with Proctor, not to mention five rushing attempts and a reception in his college career. He's a very good pass protector and run blocker, has good lateral and interior movement for his size, and has a high football IQ.

A team could reach early for Proctor or select him in the teens, so the 49ers could trade up if they coveted him, but considering all the skill position talent in this draft, if Proctor is available by pick 27, the 49ers should pounce.


MONROE FREELING (Georgia)


In his three-year career at Georgia, Monroe Freeling appeared in 35 games while starting 17. The run-blocking numbers are inconsistent, but his athleticism, arm length, motor, and speed are all pluses. The superlatives in Freeling's pass-protection numbers are impactful, allowing minimal pressure and sacks while committing just two penalties.

Freeling is a prospect with more skills than execution-type potential, but last year's resume is impressive and should be considered.

BLAKE MILLER (Clemson)


What sets Blake Miller apart from other tackle prospects is the durability and experience, having started in 54 games in the last three years. He commits too many penalties and is questionable in sustaining lateral leverage against pass rushers.

The pass protection and run-blocking abilities are fundamentally sound, and he is efficient in zone-blocking schemes and nimble enough to get out in space on gimmick plays and screen passes. Tons of upside, but Miller is certainly reliable.

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