The San Francisco 49ers addressed two of their biggest needs — wide receiver and edge rusher — when they drafted De’Zhaun Stribling and Romello Height on Friday.
That leaves Day 3 of the draft to shore up No. 3 on the needs list: offensive line.
General manager John Lynch said Friday that the team is comfortable with Connor Colby, Robert Jones and Brett Toth competing for the vacant left guard spot this offseason. But the Niners could stand to add another player to the mix at that position.
They also haven’t drafted someone to play offensive tackle since they took Jaylon Moore in the fifth round in 2021. Finding a prospect who can one day replace Trent Williams at left tackle remains prominent on their to-do list, though that will not be their only position of interest on Day 3.
Here are several prospects to keep an eye on Saturday.
Jermod McCoy, CB, Tennessee
A top-10 talent, McCoy excels at breaking up and intercepting passes. However, he tore his ACL in January 2025, wiping out his most recent college season. He ran a 4.4-second 40 at his pro day, though concerns about the knee persist, sending him tumbling into Day 3.
Justin Joly, TE, N.C. State
Joly isn’t a powerful blocker, but he might be enticing to coach Kyle Shanahan as a move tight end or someone who can play out of the slot. He scored seven touchdowns for the Wolfpack last season.
Jude Bowry, T, Boston College
Bowry has good size for the position — 6-5 with nearly 11-inch hands — and he’s played right and left tackle. He’s a bit of a late bloomer, which might make him a solid Day 3 pick who could marinate a year or two behind Williams.
Brian Parker II, G/C, Duke
Parker played right tackle for the Blue Devils, but he has a background at center. He could compete at center and guard for the 49ers early in his career and move into a starting center role should the team move on from Brendel next year.
Dametrious Crownover, T, Texas A&M
At 6-7 with nearly 36-inch arms, Crownover jumps out for his length, and he held up well against top-notch talent at the Senior Bowl. He’d be a developmental prospect, especially at left tackle, but his natural gifts might make him a project worth pursuing.
VJ Payne, S, Kansas State
The poor man’s Nick Emmanwori — hey, use some imagination — would join former Wildcat teammate Marques Sigle in what should be a spirited competition with Malik Mustapha and Ji’Ayir Brown.
Gracen Halton, DT, Oklahoma
The 49ers are always looking for explosive interior defensive linemen. That’s Halton, who clocked a 4.82-second 40 at 292 pounds and was a fan favorite at Oklahoma for his energetic play style. He’d certainly be a culture fit for defensive line coach Kris Kocurek.
Jalen Farmer, G, Kentucky
Farmer has excellent size and length, including 34 1/4-inch arms. Though he’s played mostly right guard in a power-blocking scheme, his athleticism suggests someone who could master zone-blocking concepts.
Rayshaun Benny, DT, Michigan
Benny has the type of quick first step the 49ers look for. His lack of production — just three tackles for loss in 13 starts last season — will likely make him a Day 3 pick.
Michael Trigg, TE, Baylor
Trigg doesn’t stand out as a blocker, and he has trouble catching in traffic, flaws that pushed him to Day 3. But he can also make circus catches downfield and is very tough to bring down when he has the ball in his hands. Shanahan has used a tight end as his “power slot” in the past, and Trigg might be a good fit in that role.
Dallen Bentley, TE, Utah
Bentley is a powerfully built tight end who went from two catches in 2024 to 48 last season (with no drops). His blocking ability ought to appeal to Shanahan and new tight ends coach Cameron Clemmons.
Kage Casey, G, Boise State
The 6-6, 310-pound Casey was a three-year starter at left tackle but might project as a guard or even a center.
Alex Harkey, G, Oregon
A right tackle for the Ducks, Harkey projects to guard in the NFL. The 49ers liked him enough to invite him for a formal visit earlier this month.
Eli Heidenreich, RB/WR, Navy
Heidenreich is one of the few running backs in the draft with receiver-like qualities, which ought to appeal to Shanahan. His level of competition in college was suspect, though he held up very well at the East-West Shrine Bowl in January.