The 49ers must prepare for life without Trent Williams.
And, it is possible, that time could come sooner than later.
Williams has one year remaining on his contract, and his price tag for the upcoming season could prompt the 49ers to move on a year earlier than expected.
Williams is scheduled to earn more than $23 million in base salary and bonuses for the upcoming season.
His cap figure currently is set at $38.8 million. The 49ers could create $25.5 million in cap space with a post-June 1 release.
Regardless, the 49ers know that Williams will not be around forever, and there is no heir apparent on the roster.
The 49ers’ last took an offensive lineman in the first round in 2019, when right tackle Mike McGlinchey was the pick at No. 9 overall. The 49ers selected guards Aaron Banks in the second round in 2021 and Dominick Puni in the third round of 2024.
The offensive linemen will go through their on-field workouts Sunday at the NFL Scouting Combine in Indianapolis, and the 49ers will be keeping an eye open for players with the athleticism to fit their scheme.
It is likely at least the top three offensive linemen — tackles Francis Mauigoa (Miami) and Spencer Fano (Utah), and guard Olaivavega Ioane (Penn State) — will be chosen before the 49ers go on the clock.
Here are five options for the 49ers to consider in the first round if they stick at No. 27 overall:
Caleb Lomu, Utah
Lomu would be the ideal player for the 49ers to select in the first round. He would be viewed as the player who could take over for Williams.
Of course, Williams’ fate for the season likely will be determined long before the draft. The new league year begins March 11, with the draft scheduled for April 23-25.
“The most natural left tackle prospect in the draft could give the 49ers an enviable long-term plan at the crucial position,” NFL Media’s draft analyst Bucky Brooks wrote of Lomu, citing his “nimble feet and quick hands.”
Monroe Freeling, Georgia
Freeling has tremendous upside with his unique movement skills while measuring at approximately 6-foot-7, 315 pounds.
He only has 16 career starts, so 49ers offensive line coach Chris Foerster would have largely a blank canvas with Freeling.
The 49ers would expect Freeling to take some lumps early on as he learns and develops to the NFL game and his new scheme.
Blake Miller, Clemson
He should be in the mix at the end of the first round. The problem is that he played primarily right tackle in college. The 49ers are set there with Colton McKivitz signing a contract extension at the start of the 2025 season.
Miller has good athleticism and his durability is unquestioned. He set the Clemson record for career snaps from scrimmage, playing 3,778 offensive snaps in 54 career games (all starts) from 2022-25.
Max Iheanachor, Arizona State
Iheanachor got a late start in football because he focused on basketball earlier in his early high school days. Those movement skills are necessary for success in the 49ers’ blocking scheme.
Again, Iheanachor does not check all the boxes because he played right tackle in college. The 49ers need someone to protect Brock Purdy’s blindside.
He improved his stock with a strong showing at the Senior Bowl against top competition, an indication his game is on the rise.
Kadyn Proctor, Alabama
Proctor might not be the best fit for the 49ers, unless his weight is down and he shows the athleticism to fulfill the requirements of the team’s blocking scheme.
He was listed at 6-foot-6, 366 pounds on the Alabama roster. Teams will be interested to see what he weighs this week in Indianapolis.
Proctor had a memorable play this season, when he caught a screen pass and turned it into an 11-yard gain against Georgia last season.
It could work. Proctor most likely would be slated to start off at left guard and, if he shows he can handle it, the 49ers could move him to left tackle down the road.