Should the 49ers consider adding Cayden Green?
The 2027 NFL Draft is still nearly a year away, but it’s never too early to begin looking at potential prospects for the San Francisco 49ers. One player fans should get familiar with is Missouri offensive tackle Cayden Green. His positional versatility, movement skills, and steady improvement make him an intriguing round-one target in April.
The six-foot-five, 324-pound prospect had a standout freshman season at Oklahoma before transferring to Missouri in 2024. He played his first two collegiate seasons at left guard before moving to tackle last year. He’s projected to move back to the interior in the NFL, but that could quickly change depending on his upcoming campaign. Regardless of his location, his versatility will be a major benefit to his future team.
Because of the position change, Green had early struggles last year. However, he persevered and dramatically improved his play throughout the season. His technique quickly improved as he adjusted to the opposition’s play speed. This was exemplified in his final four weeks, where he didn’t allow a sack and only gave up one total pressure.
As a result of this development, many analysts are projecting another major step from Green in 2026. His film from last year was impressive, but it doesn’t warrant a first-round pick. This is largely because of his lack of elite strength in pass protection. Green doesn’t have an elite anchor, which causes him to struggle against bull rushes. Additionally, his hands lack pop, preventing him from disrupting the edge rusher’s pass rush.
Despite this, Green’s movement skills and raw straight-line power, stemming from his leverage, make him a weapon as a run blocker. He consistently reaches the second level and eliminates defenders. Similarly, he’s effective while on the move, making him a force while pulling. He has flashes of brilliance, where he plays with excellent leverage and wipes away someone. However, he needs to become more consistent before reaching the NFL.
Green would be a fantastic fit in Kyle Shanahan’s offense. The 49ers' offensive line struggled with a barrage of injuries last year, which makes it vital that they address it soon. Additionally, veteran tackle Trent Williams is on his last legs, making finding a replacement a top priority. As a result, it makes sense for them to invest in someone like Green in 2027.
Overall, it’s too early to key in on any certain prospects, but 49ers fans should familiarize themselves with Missouri offensive tackle Cayden Green. His positional versatility, improvement in 2025, and movement skills make him an ideal selection. Don’t be surprised to hear his name called early in the 2027 NFL Draft.