The San Francisco 49ers have a handful of visits and workouts planned with offensive line prospects, and we have a new name for the list. Washington State offensive tackle/guard Joe Dahl is meeting with at least ten teams this month, and Tony Pauline is reporting that includes the 49ers.
Dahl transferred to WSU from Montana, and spent his first season (2013) at left guard. He moved to left tackle for Washington the Cougars' bowl game, and remained in that role in 2014 and 2015. Although he excelled as a guard, scouting reports point to a player with some physical limitations for the position. He stands 6'4, but that would still make him shorter than Joe Staley and Trenton Brown. They suggest a guy who is better suited inside. He was at left tackle at WSU in large part because he was the best offensive lineman they had. Physical limitations are not as big an issue in college.
The 49ers offensive line has plenty of questions, particularly with the potential Anthony Davis return delayed, and now amidst a trade rumor. Davis is likely not factored into the team's plans for the time being. That leaves Trenton Brown as the potential favorite at right tackle, Zane Beadles at left guard, Daniel Kilgore at center, and then some combination of Andrew Tiller, Erik Pears, Marcus Martin, Brandon Thomas, and others at right guard.
The team drafted Brown and Ian Silberman late last year. Dahl is projected by CBSSports.com as a potential sixth round pick. The team will almost assuredly draft an offensive lineman this year, but how early remains to be seen. Yes, they do have guys like Marcus Martin and Brandon Thomas competing for something, but after last year, the team needs additional depth.