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The 2023 draft will be an interesting one for the 49ers since it’s unclear what position they’ll need to address. Pro Football Focus listed offensive lineman USC offensive lineman Andrew Vorhees as a 2023 prospect for the 49ers to keep an eye on, but the 49ers are hoping the offensive line won’t be a position of need going into next year.
Vorhees can play multiple spots on the offensive line, which the 49ers love. And he’s had a ton of success with the Trojans. Via PFF’s Mike Renner:
With no first-round pick to speak of, the 49ers will have to upgrade the interior of their offensive line in other ways. The good news is that’s one position where Day 1 starters are commonplace outside the first round. Vorhees should hit the ground NFL-ready as a sixth-year player and fifth-year starter. He had a breakout 2021, where he earned a 90.0 overall grade.
All of that sounds great, but there’s a real chance the 49ers exit 2022 not needing help at guard. 2021 second-round pick Aaron Banks figures to slot in at left guard, and there’ll be a battle for the starting right guard job. Assuming Banks and the starter on the other side figure it out, the 49ers could have a couple long-term options on the interior.
Of course, there’s a chance they struggle at those two spots this year as well and making an early addition in the draft may be a necessity.
The bigger question mark on the offensive interior is center, where journeyman Jake Brendel is the frontrunner to start. Undrafted rookie Dohnovan West could be a longer term play for San Francisco, but he’ll have to prove he can stick on the roster this year and show enough upside to warrant a look as the starter next year.
San Francisco’s entire season may ride on that interior OL question. If they finish the 2022 season needing to look at Vorhees as a draft option with their second-round selection, the 49ers may be coming off a long, difficult year.
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