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49ers Add High-Upside Offensive Tackle In Recent Mock Draft
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- 49ers Add High-Upside Offensive Tackle In Recent Mock Draft
The college football season is right around the corner, making it the perfect time for fans to familiarize themselves with some of the top prospects in the nation. To help, ESPN's Jordan Reid released his latest 2027 NFL Mock Draft on Wednesday, August 26. In this, the San Francisco 49ers found their successor to Trent Williams in Stanford left tackle Niki Prongos.
Before we begin, it's important to note the goal of preseason mock drafts. It's far too early for these exercises to be accurate, as numerous things will change throughout the season. That's not their value. Instead, they're meant to help fans identify potential prospects to watch during the year that their team could target next offseason.
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That said, Niki Prongos is a high-upside prospect who could be the 49ers' long-term option at left tackle. Reid highlights this and includes how he's a rising name in college football.
"There's a bit of projection with this pick, as Prongos is still a work in progress. But the 6-foot-7, 315-pound former walk-on has good foundational tools, and I really like his upward trajectory," Reid wrote. "Future Hall of Famer Trent Williams will be 39 before next season, so the 49ers eventually have to find his successor."
As mentioned, Prongos is a raw prospect who has limited experience. He didn't start playing football until his senior year of high school, where he tore his ACL and only participated in three games. Still, he earned a walk-on position at UCLA and spent three years with the Bruins before transferring to Stanford and becoming their starting left tackle. There, he's developed into a formidable player who has breakout potential in 2026.
Prongos pairs an NFL-ready frame with elite athleticism, making him an intriguing target. He fires out of his stance and is a smooth lateral mover. This helps him mirror opposing edge rushers and mitigate their pass rush. As a run defender, he thrives at climbing to the second level and eliminating defenders from the field. Additionally, he's flashed a strong initial punch that disrupts an opposing defensive lineman's timing.
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The traits are evident, but Prongos must take a massive leap forward this season to establish himself as a first-round prospect. His inconsistent footwork and varying punch accuracy are something that his competition can exploit. Beyond this, his anchor doesn't hold up against elite power rushers, and he can get off-balance by lunging forward and missing his block. Prongos doesn't need to be perfect in 2026; scouts aren't looking for that. All he needs to do is show improvement, which he's done his entire career.
These qualities should interest the 49ers, especially with their upcoming need at left tackle. As Reid noted, five-time All-Pro Trent Williams will be 39, meaning he's entering the final years of his career. In an ideal world, he plays a few more seasons and mentors his replacement, which is Prongos' desired role.
As of now, Niki Prongos isn't a first-round prospect, despite being mocked there. However, he has the frame and athleticism to be a day-one selection if he improves in 2026. He's an enticing option for the 49ers and is someone fans must keep tabs on throughout the year.
