The 49ers' offensive line is far from complete. Lynch hints at a draft strategy targeting athletic, proven talents to solidify the interior.
San Francisco 49ers general manager John Lynch made it clear this weekend that roster build is a marathon, not a sprint. Speaking to reporters on Sunday regarding the state of the offensive line, Lynch offered a succinct update: “We’re not done yet.”
While the headline grabbing move of the month was the ongoing contract saga with All-Pro Trent Williams, the real "work in progress" lies on the interior. The 2025 season saw a revolving door at left guard, and after a flurry of free agent departures, the cupboard looks remarkably thin.
The Week 1 starter from 2025 is now a Detroit Lion, while the man who took over for the playoff run signed with the Las Vegas Raiders. That leaves 2025 seventh round pick Connor Colby as the most experienced returning option, which is a sobering thought considering he was the only returner to see significant snaps last year outside of Nick Zakelj’s brief cameos in October.
The Current Competition
Lynch has been active in the bargain bin, but whether these additions are "starters" or "depth" remains the $46 million question.
- Robert Jones: The projected frontrunner. Jones started every game for Mike McDaniel in Miami in 2024 but spent all of 2025 on IR with a neck injury. He is the ultimate "wild card."
- Brett Toth: A 30-year old who finally saw the field consistently last year. While he has guard experience, he’s often viewed as a backup center.
- Dominick Puni: Currently penciled in at right guard, Puni’s versatility means he could theoretically slide over if a better option emerges on the right, but the team seems to prefer him staying put.
Draft Targets: The Fourth-Round Sweet Spot
Given the 49ers’ current draft capital, which includes four selections in the fourth round, it is highly unlikely they address the interior in Round 1. The consensus top guard, Penn State’s Vega Ioane, is a lock for the first round and far out of reach at No. 27.
However, the second and third tiers of this class offer the exact type of "zone-scheme" athletes Kyle Shanahan covets:
Oregon’s Emmanuel Pregnon sits at the top of that list, ranked 72nd overall by Sports Info Solutions. Pregnon is a physical anomaly with 97th-percentile hand size and elite explosive traits, leading SIS to label him the most productive run blocker in this entire class. If he slides into the late second or early third, he’s a plug-and-play candidate.
Just behind him on the big board is Chase Bisontis out of Texas A&M at 75th overall. Bisontis is a polarizing prospect. His wingspan and hand size fall in the bottom 40th percentile, his pure athleticism is undeniable, boasting a 40-yard dash and vertical jump in the 90th percentile. Despite his 21 starts at left guard, his tape shows more struggle in pass protection than Pregnon, making him a higher-upside project.
Finally, there is Keylan Rutledge from Georgia Tech, ranked 87th. Like the others, Rutledge is an elite athlete with a vertical jump in the 90th percentile, but he brings a level of consistency the others might lack. He started 43 games all at left guard under one of the best offensive line coaches in the country. His high football IQ and experience make him perhaps the safest bet for a team that needs a Day 1 contributor to protect the inside of the blind side.
With the majority of interior prospects projected to go between picks 100 and 150, the 49ers are sitting in the catbird seat. Lynch’s "not done yet" was a roadmap for the end of April.