For more than a decade, Trent Williams has been synonymous with reliability in the NFL, and the San Francisco 49ers have benefited from that since acquiring him in the 2020 season. But it appears the tackle’s days with the franchise may be numbered, and with that in mind, the team could already be looking at his replacement in the draft.
49ers’ Predicted To Select OT Caleb Lomu With 27th Pick
Holding the 27th overall pick, San Francisco is projected to select Caleb Lomu, a tackle from Utah, as the next long-term project at the position and a way to bring renewal with Williams’ departure looming if a new deal is not reached.
Saying goodbye to a tackle of Williams’ caliber is certainly not something an NFL franchise would want to do. But that appears to be the most likely scenario for the 49ers right now, as the relationship with the veteran is not at its best, and talks about a new contract seem to have stalled.
While Williams is seeking a new deal, San Francisco believes the three-year, $82.66 million contract signed in the 2024 offseason is more than sufficient. He carries a $39 million cap number this season, and although a release would leave $34 million in dead cap, it could also present an opportunity to reinvest in the position with a younger player.
That is where Lomu comes in, a tackle from the University of Utah who is projected by Josh Edwards of CBS Sports to be selected by San Francisco with the 27th overall pick. It would be the first offensive tackle taken by the 49ers in the first round of the draft since Mike McGlinchey in 2018.
“It seems as though the union between San Francisco and Trent Williams is coming to an end. Caleb Lomu would ideally have a season to learn from Williams but has the athleticism to thrive in Kyle Shanahan’s system,” Edwards wrote.
Would Lomu Fit 49ers’ Scheme?
Lomu is viewed as an athletic and intelligent player with the size to be a strong pass protection prospect, although he still needs to further develop his technique and engagement in the run game, something essential for Kyle Shanahan’s system. Ideally, he would have a season with Williams still on the roster to develop more gradually.
But that reality already seems distant in San Francisco. Although no final decision regarding Williams has been made, one would expect negotiations to have at least progressed. The franchise has the cap space to extend him, but the smarter long-term path may be to already start thinking about a younger replacement.
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Among all tackles during the 2025 season, Williams ranked eighth overall in the PFSN OL Impact Meter and received a B+ grade, earning a second-team All-Pro selection even after an inconsistent start. He found his rhythm and showed he still has plenty left in the tank, and if he were to hit the open market, he would attract multiple suitors.
As resistant as this San Francisco front office has been to selecting offensive linemen early in the draft or in the first round, the need may ultimately speak louder, and that path could soon become reality.
