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49ers evaluate several free agent offensive tackles
Sergio Estrada-Imagn Images

The San Francisco 49ers hosted several offensive tackles for workouts on Saturday, taking advantage of the team's first day off since training camp practices began Wednesday. Those evaluated were Cameron Fleming, Connor Galvin, and Lucas Niang, according to the NFL transaction wire. Additionally, the 49ers brought in Prince Tega Wanogho for a visit.

Fleming, a fourth-round draft pick by the New England Patriots in 2014, has enjoyed a decade-long NFL career that includes stints with the Dallas Cowboys, New York Giants, and Denver Broncos. He has appeared in over 100 career games, starting more than 60 of them.

Galvin entered the league as an undrafted free agent with the Detroit Lions in 2023. He spent most of his rookie year on Detroit's practice squad and saw action in one regular-season game. He suffered a torn MCL during the 2024 preseason, limiting his development.

The Kansas City Chiefs selected Niang in the third round of the 2020 NFL Draft. He earned a starting role at right tackle in 2021 but has battled injuries throughout his career. Niang has appeared in 33 games with nine starts.

Wanogho was a sixth-round selection by the Philadelphia Eagles in 2020 and also spent time with the Kansas City Chiefs. He has appeared in 23 regular-season games, primarily as a reserve offensive lineman.

Offensive line questions remain

Trent Williams is entering his age-37 season, Colton McKivitz has earned mixed reviews as a starter, and guard Aaron Banks signed with the Green Bay Packers in free agency.

Despite those concerns, San Francisco largely ignored the offensive line in the 2025 NFL Draft and focused its resources on retooling the defense after several veteran departures. The team used five of its 11 picks on defensive players, waiting until the seventh round to select offensive guard Connor Colby out of Iowa.

Kyle Shanahan defends the unit

Head coach Kyle Shanahan recently defended the 49ers' offensive line.

"If you go from 2019 to 2024, we're the number one team in the league in yards per play," Shanahan said. "Number two is Baltimore, number three is Tampa, and number four is Green Bay and Kansas City tied. And so, all four of those [had] established Hall of Fame quarterbacks, and we've done it with three different guys in those times.

"Why have we been able to? Because we have a really good O-line, but we've spent our money and investments on a really good defense, on good skill players. Could we do that stuff if we didn't have a really good O-line? Not at all."

The 49ers' evaluation of veteran offensive tackles suggests they are still exploring options to strengthen depth at the position, providing better protection for their hefty investment in quarterback Brock Purdy, who signed a five-year, $265 million contract extension this offseason.

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This article first appeared on 49ers Webzone and was syndicated with permission.

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