Why 49ers may wait (again) before drafting offensive line help

San Francisco 49ers offensive line coach Chris Foerster is good at his job. And that's a reason the 49ers have been good with waiting to draft the prospects whom Foerster coaches.

Since Foerster, 64, joined the staff in 2019, the 49ers have had 26 picks among the draft's top 130. With those picks, they have taken 12 players on offense: five wide receivers, three running backs, a QB, a tight end and just two offensive linemen - a five-man position group that accounts for 45% of a starting offense.

In 2024, Foerster explained a 49ers draft philosophy when it comes to offensive players is to prioritize those who "touch the ball and score touchdowns." The philosophy is rooted in the faith that Foerster can develop lesser-regarded linemen and that head coach Kyle Shanahan's offense can also creatively assist Foerster's guys up front.

"We've got ways with our system," Foerster said. "We can chip (block) - we can do all sorts of things to help guys. … If a guy can't get open? If a guy can't catch the ball and run? That's where we have a problem."

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Consider that a reason to believe that the 49ers won't use an early-round pick on an offensive lineman in this week's draft despite it being a position that could benefit from bolstering. The 49ers don't employ an obvious starter at left guard and they lack an eventual replacement for All-Pro left tackle Trent Williams, who will turn 38 in July.

On Monday, the 49ers signed Williams to a restricted two-year, $50 million contract with $37 million guaranteed, which suggests that despite his age they'll continue to kick the can on drafting his heir apparent. In the past four drafts, the 49ers haven't used any of their 37 picks on an offensive tackle.

Left guard, however, looks like a different story. Recently signed Robert Jones, the top first-string candidate, struggled in his lone season as a full-time starter (with the Dolphins) in 2024 and didn't play last year due to a broken bone in his neck. Connor Colby is a 2025 seventh-round pick who unsurprisingly struggled in six fill-in starts in 2025. And Brett Toth, 29, who was signed in March, is a career backup.

Still, it would qualify as a surprise if the 49ers used their first- or second-round pick on the position. One of their other four picks, all in the fourth round, is where they probably feel comfortable addressing that need.

"That guy that touches the ball - it makes a huge difference in the game," Foerster said in 2024. "The right guard makes a difference, but that's where we're able to find fourth- and fifth-round draft picks."

Offseason additions: Jones, Toth, OT Vederian Lowe

Departures: G Spencer Burford (Raiders), G Ben Bartch (Lions), C Matt Hennessy (Cowboys)

On the roster: Williams (2020 trade), RT Colton McKivitz (2020 fifth round), C Jake Brendel (2020 FA signing), RG Dominick Puni (2024 third round), Jones (2026 FA signing), Toth (2026 FA signing), Colby (2025 seventh round), C Nick Zakelj (2022 sixth round), Lowe (2026 FA signing), OT Austen Pleasants (2024 practice-squad signing), OT Brandon Parker (2024 practice-squad signing), G Drake Nugent (2024 undrafted FA), OT Isaac Alarcon (2024 reserve/future contract)

Potential draft plan: We've addressed the 49ers' offensive-line draft philosophy. Still, would they be tempted if Alabama tackle Kadyn Proctor, whom many analysts view as a boom-or-bust prospect and who had a pre-draft visit with the team, falls to No. 27?

Proctor has the dimensions of a small duplex (6-foot-7, 352 pounds), and he also has positional versatility. He could answer the 49ers' question at left guard for a season or two before taking over for Williams. It's probably a moot point since Proctor figures to be off the board, but it might not be too far-fetched: NFL Network's Daniel Jeremiah has the Eagles taking Proctor at No. 23 in his latest mock draft.

It's more likely the 49ers use one of their fourth-round picks on a guard. The 49ers took Oregon's Alex Harkey in that round in the Chronicle's recent mock draft. Harkey also visited the 49ers before the draft and might have gotten on their radar last year when the 49ers were studying Oregon running back Jordan James, whom they took in the fifth round.

General manager John Lynch has a relationship with Ducks coach Dan Lanning, visiting the campus last year to learn about how Lanning helped build Oregon's powerhouse program.

OL draft record

How the 49ers have fared when it comes to drafting offensive linemen since Shanahan and Lynch were hired in 2017:

Mike McGlinchey, first round, 2018: He didn't fully realize No. 9-pick expectations, but did enough to earn a big-money contract with the Broncos in 2023. Grade: B

Justin Skule, sixth round, 2019: A No. 183 pick who has carved out an eight-season career. Grade: B

Colton McKivitz, fifth round, 2020: He signed a three-year, $45 million contract extension last year. Grade: A-minus

Jaylon Moore, fifth round, 2021: Steadily improved as swing tackle with 49ers; signed two-year, $30 million deal with Chiefs last year. Grade: B-minus

Aaron Banks, second round, 2021: A five-snap rookie year didn't foreshadow disaster. Cashed in with Packers in 2025. Grade: B

Nick Zakelj, sixth round, 2022: Still on the roster, not bad for the No. 187 pick from Fordham. Grade: C-plus

Spencer Burford, fourth round, 2022: His up-and-down tenure included a crucial missed assignment in the 49ers' Super Bowl LVIII loss. Grade: C

Jarrett Kingston, sixth round, 2024: Waived four months after he was drafted. Grade: F

Dominick Puni, third round, 2024: His sophomore season didn't match a stellar rookie year, but clearly a keeper. Grade: B-plus

Connor Colby, seventh round, 2025: Was shoved into a starting role for which he was ill-prepared as a rookie due to injuries. Grade: Incomplete

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