San Francisco 49ers general manager John Lynch has shed light on why the team opted not to select an offensive tackle during the 2024 NFL Draft — a move that puzzled many fans and analysts. Despite clear concerns about depth and future needs along the offensive line, Lynch says the team was committed to its draft philosophy: staying true to their player evaluations.
“We didn’t pass on offensive tackles because we don’t value the position,” Lynch said in a post-draft interview. “We simply didn’t see the value where we were picking. We stayed true to our board and our grades.”
The 49ers instead focused on other areas of need, addressing wide receiver, cornerback, and defensive depth. While fans anticipated the team might secure a potential successor or support for veteran tackle Trent Williams, Lynch emphasized that reaching for a player not graded highly by the team would have been a mistake.
“We’re always thinking long-term, but we’re not going to take a guy early just because of positional need,” Lynch added. “If you start doing that, you’re not building a team — you’re filling short-term gaps with long-term consequences.”
The 49ers’ front office is confident in their current O-line group and will likely explore free agency or trade options if reinforcements are needed. For now, the message is clear: the team is focused on trusting its evaluations and sticking to the plan.
