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.
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