“Trent is playing. Trent is ready. He’s motivated,” John Lynch remarked ahead of the NFL Combine. After the 2024 season ended and Trent Williams pondered retirement, the 49ers’ general manager provided this update. It indeed demonstrates the 49ers’ confidence in their offensive tackle, as he plans to return in 2025. Despite having an unfavorable season due to his ankle injury, Williams, 36, is still one of the best tackles in the NFL. However, his future remains unclear.
Interestingly, the Oklahoma Sooners alum might remain the starter due to LSU offensive lineman Will Campbell’s arm length concern. According to NFL draft writer Josh Edwards’ mock draft, 49ers HC Kyle Shanahan will select Campbell as Trent Williams’ potential successor.
Additionally, Edwards predicted that Campbell will be the second offensive lineman off the board, with Missouri Tigers OT Armand Membou selected by the New York Jets at No. 7. Apart from this, the CBS sports reporter also projected that Campbell will be selected by the San Francisco 49ers at No. 11, bolstering an offensive line commanded by 49ers OT Williams.
“Will Campbell’s arm length seems to change by the day, so he could play a variety of positions in San Francisco,” Edwards noted. “The 49ers would probably play him at guard initially, but he could also be the heir apparent to Trent Williams in the Bay Area.”
Clearly, Trent Williams got the boost just because of the arm length concern of LSU OT Campbell, who recorded a career-high 80.6 pass-blocking grade from Pro Football Focus in 2024. Last month, during the NFL Scouting Combine, his arm length was measured just under the commonly desired 33-inch minimum. And this sparked significant speculations about his draft stock.
However, this rumor around 49ers‘ mock draft is not the only one, as GM John Lynch is expected to draft a Myles Garrett like pass rusher.
49ers GM John Lynch selects pass rusher who ‘tested like Myles Garrett’
Undoubtedly, Maliek Collins’ and Javon Hargrave’s exits made the defensive line weaker. In the middle of this, defensive end Shemar Stewart caught the NFL’s eye due to his physical attributes and potential as the San Fran team’s “top draft pick.”
Impressively, the Texas A&M Aggies DE outperformed Myles Garrett at the NFL Scouting Combine with a 40-yard sprint time of 4.59 seconds and a 10-foot-11 broad jump. His Next Gen Stats athleticism score of 84 placed him fourth among edge rushers.
As a result, CBS Sports editor Kyle Stackpole added Stewart to a defensive line that had difficulty generating pressure the previous season by selecting him with the 11th overall pick in his most recent mock draft. Adding fuel to complications, the 49ers even cut DE Leonard Floyd, who finished second on the team with 8.5 sacks.
“The 49ers lost three contributors along the defensive line during free agency, so they need to replenish the cupboard,” Stackpole stated. “San Francisco bets on the upside with Shemar Stewart, who tested like Myles Garrett at the NFL combine but only managed 4.5 career sacks over three seasons in college. Lucky for him, he’ll get to refine his pass-rush skills opposite all-world edge Nick Bosa,” he further added.
Now whether the San Fran team will go ahead with Stewart or not, is pretty dicey. For now, it seems like the Niners will have to keep their eyes open for any defensive weapons, and right now, Stewart is looking like the best fit.
The post 49ers Rumors: Kyle Shanahan Lands Trent Williams’ Successor as John Lynch Expected to Draft Myles Garrett Like Pass Rusher appeared first on EssentiallySports.
