The Position the 49ers Will Take in Round 2 of the NFL Draft

Unless the 49ers find their left tackle of the future at the end of Round 1, I expect they'll wait to draft that position.

Last year, the 49ers drafted exactly zero offensive linemen. This year, the NFL Draft will feature an extremely talented and deep class of offensive tackles, and the 49ers almost certainly will take one. But when?

The 49ers certainly could take an offensive tackle in Round 1, considering their starting left tackle, Trent Williams, will be 36 next season, and their starting right tackle, Colton McKivitz, gave up 13 sacks last season.

But unless the 49ers find their left tackle of the future at the end of Round 1, I expect they'll wait to draft that position. I don't think they value right tackle enough to draft one in Round 1. When they drafted Mike McGlinchey, they thought he eventually would move to left tackle and replace Joe Staley when he retired, but they were wrong.

That's why I expect the 49ers to draft an offensive tackle in Round 2. That's the same round they drafted starting left guard Aaron Banks, who sat and developed during his rookie season before becoming a starter in Year 2. The 49ers essentially red-shirted him, and that's what they most likely will do with the offensive tackle they draft this year -- sit him behind McKIvitz for a year or two.

The 49ers recently signed Brandon Parker, who might not make the team, but he was the 65th pick in the 2018 draft, which shows the caliber of player the 49ers are looking for at right tackle.

That's why I expect the 49ers to draft the best offensive tackle available this year at pick No. 63. And if Washington's Roger Rosengarten is available, I expect they'll take him, because he has the size and the movement ability they look for at that position.