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The San Francisco 49ers have a decision to make at number 27. Free agency has addressed some needs, but the offensive line remains a pressing concern. Trent Williams turns 38 in July and is entering the final year of his contract. The question of who protects Brock Purdy in the years ahead is one of the most important San Francisco will face this spring.
One name keeps coming up. Alabama offensive tackle Kadyn Proctor has been mocked to the 49ers by multiple analysts, including ESPN’s Mel Kiper Jr., PFF’s Gordon McGuinness, and CBS Sports. SI’s Parker Hurley has also made the case for the fit, arguing Proctor will be one of the most heavily linked prospects to San Francisco between now and draft night. Rated 23rd on the current consensus big board, he projects as a realistic option when the 49ers go on the clock.
Proctor Has the Tools to Develop Into a Franchise Tackle
GettyUniversity of Alabama offensive tackle Kadyn Proctor.
The physical profile is hard to ignore. Proctor stands 6-foot-7 and weighs 366 pounds. At the NFL Scouting Combine, he ran a 5.21-second 40-yard dash and posted a 32.5-inch vertical jump, remarkable numbers for a player of his stature. He earned an 86.1 overall PFF grade in 2025, an 84.2 pass-blocking grade, and an 81.1 run-blocking grade. That made him one of just seven FBS tackles to grade above 80.0 in both categories last season. He also surrendered just two sacks on 611 pass-blocking snaps.
Kiper was direct about the upside. “The highs are really, really good,” he wrote, adding there might not be a better situation than learning behind Williams in San Francisco. McGuinness pointed to Proctor’s age, not yet 21, as a reason for optimism about his development ceiling.
Proctor Comes With Questions at the Next Level
The concerns are well documented. Proctor’s technique is inconsistent, his lateral mobility has been flagged as a potential issue, and his pad level can be a problem given his height. Hurley raised the possibility he may ultimately be better suited to guard at the next level. If Williams remains in San Francisco, the most logical path would be to start Proctor at left guard in year one, develop him alongside one of the best offensive linemen in NFL history, and move him back outside when Williams eventually steps away.
Final Word for the 49ers
GettyTrent Williams #71 of the San Francisco 49ers.
San Francisco’s offensive line needs a long-term answer. Proctor is not a finished product. But the 49ers do not need him to be one immediately. Williams buys time. Kyle Shanahan’s scheme rewards athleticism. Proctor has plenty of it.
Draft night is still weeks away. If Proctor is sitting at 27, the 49ers will have a serious decision to make.
Keith Watkins Keith Watkins is a sports journalist covering the NBA for Heavy.com, with a focus on the Golden State Warriors, Boston Celtics, and Los Angeles Lakers. He previously wrote for FanSided, NBA Analysis Network, and Last Word On Sports. Keith is based in Bangkok, Thailand. More about Keith Watkins
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