San Francisco 49ers offensive tackle Trent Williams is considered the top left tackle in the NFL — and he has been for some time.
But the 49ers can’t overlook the fact that Williams is closing in on 40, and the 2026 season could be his last.
Though Williams believes he’s got plenty left in the tank to play at least one more year, it would behoove San Francisco to start searching for an heir apparent to the 12-time Pro Bowler, which is why ESPN draft expert Mel Kiper Jr. believes they’ll do just that in the 2026 NFL draft.
In his latest mock draft, Kiper has the 49ers picking 6-foot-7, 366-pound Alabama offensive tackle Kadyn Proctor.
“Proctor’s tape is all over the place,” Kiper stated. “The highs are really, really good. The lows raise a lot of questions. But in the right situation, he could become a standout tackle in the NFL. And there might not be a better situation than learning behind one of the best to ever do it in San Francisco. Trent Williams will be 38 by Week 1, and he’s entering the final year of his contract.
“So, Proctor could develop in Year 1 while kicking inside to guard and/or playing a swing tackle role before perhaps taking over for Williams in 2027. He has 40 career starts — all at left tackle — and is reliable in pass protection. This would be an upside pick for GM John Lynch.”
Proctor played 963 offensive snaps at left tackle for the Crimson Tide last season.
He allowed just two sacks, 21 pressures, and 15 hurries while earning consensus All-America honors and he was a first-team All-SEC selection as well.
Ideally, Proctor could sit for his rookie season and learn behind Williams and possibly transition into a starting role in 2027.
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