2020 NFL Draft: 5 players 49ers could take in Round 1

NEW ORLEANS, LA - JANUARY 13: Cornerback Kristian Fulton #1 of the LSU Tigers defends Wide Receiver Tee Higgins #5 of the Clemson Tigers during the College Football Playoff National Championship game at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome on January 13, 2020 in New Orleans, Louisiana. LSU defeated Clemson 42 to 25. (Photo by Don Juan Moore/Getty Images) /

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Tristan Wirfs, Iowa Hawkeyes. (Photo by Matthew Holst/Getty Images) /

Tristan Wirfs, OT, Iowa

While some 49ers fans may balk at the suggestion of San Francisco selecting a tackle only two years removed from using a top-10 pick on Mike McGlinchey, bolstering the offensive line would be an astute move by the franchise.

NBC Sports Bay Area’s Matt Maiocco (h/t Niners Nation) recently rated left tackle Joe Staley’s odds of playing in 2020 as 50/50. When you factor in the coronavirus pandemic throwing the 2020 season into doubt, there is the possibility Staley has played his last snap in the NFL.

Regardless of whether football is played in 2020, the Niners need to find a successor for the aging Staley. The 49ers found a star tight end in Kittle and a reserve quarterback in C.J. Beathard from Iowa in 2017, so would likely have faith in Wirfs’ ability to succeed at the next level.

The top-rated SPARQ athlete among this year’s offensive line class, Wirfs boasts the athleticism to excel in the 49ers’ zone-blocking scheme and could kick inside to guard, where San Francisco needs help after cutting Mike Person, for a year if Staley decides to keep playing.

Given the depth at the receiver position in this draft, it would be no surprise if the Niners choose to address that either with the 31st-overall pick or later on if they trade back from that spot. Wirfs would not be an exciting choice for many, but he should be considered very much in play at 13.

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