The 49ers yet again didn't draft an offensive tackle, and John Lynch's reasoning why doesn't quite make a lot of sense.
It would have made plenty of sense if the San Francisco 49ers used their top pick in the 2025 NFL Draft on an offensive tackle. After they used that selection on Georgia defensive end Mykel Williams, it still would have made plenty of sense if the Niners used their second-round pick on an offensive tackle.
Then, after grabbing Texas defensive tackle Alfred Collins in Round 2, it still would have made sense to take an offensive tackle in Rounds 3 or 4. Or in Rounds 5 through 7.
But San Francisco didn't.
Granted, the 2025 draft class wasn't loaded with upper-echelon tackle talent. And one could argue the 49ers needed more help on the defensive side of the ball anyway.
However, with 11 picks, it's a bit strange not to see general manager John Lynch and Co. neglect the position altogether, extending a streak of not drafting an offensive tackle that dates back to 2021 when they took now-Kansas City Chiefs left tackle Jaylon Moore.
Moore's departure during the offseason is just one of several reasons why the Niners probably should have invested more in the offensive line's bookends. All-Pro left tackle Trent Williams will turn 37 years old this year, while right tackle Colton McKivitz enters a contract year.
There are no clear long-term replacements for either.
"There were a number of times that we were interested in adding, and it just didn't come our way," Lynch told ESPN's Nick Wagoner. "And you've got to stay true to where you have guys graded, not take guys just to take them, but to take guys that you're interested in at that point. And it just never really aligned."
OK, that's reasonable. Staying true to a draft board is never a bad strategy, and it appears as if San Francisco did precisely that.
However, prioritizing need over best player available becomes more understandable the deeper teams go in the draft, and no one would have faulted the 49ers for over-drafting an offensive tackle on day three, especially from Rounds 5 through 7.
Simply put, a reach for someone like, let's say Texas Tech's Caleb Rogers or Cincinnati's John Williams, wouldn't have been met with any criticism.
True, the Niners responded to depth concerns not long after the draft's conclusion by inking former Arizona Cardinals and Kansas City Chiefs veteran tackle D.J. Humphries, effectively alleviating Moore's offseason loss and adding an experienced swing tackle in the process.
But, that's no more than a stopgap addition, and San Francisco still lacks long-term options behind Williams and McKivitz.
It's still strange why Lynch didn't at least take a flier or two to address that last April.
