Despite him missing the final seven games of their 2024 season, the San Francisco 49ers still have the utmost faith in Trent Williams' ability to maintain his All-Pro levels of play at left tackle.

Asked if the 49ers had any uncertainty about the 11-time Pro Bowler playing in 2025, general manager John Lynch told an end-of-season press conference last week:

"No. Trent’s doing well. He had a bruise in the ankle joint and it probably took a little longer than anyone anticipated, but sometimes that happens. And the good news is, it’s taken a positive turn. Trent’s mindset is where it always is and he’s still very interested in being a great player that he is. And I think he’s still got a lot left in the tank. So, Trent’s committed as ever and we love having Trent Williams a part of us."

Williams will be 37 by the time the 2025 season starts and, while the 49ers understandably have complete confidence in the future Hall of Famer, it would be very prudent of them to find his successor in a 2025 draft in which they hold two top-50 picks.

Ian Valentino's latest mock draft for A to Z Sports has them selecting a potential heir apparent for Williams in the second round.

With the 11th overall pick, Valentino has the Niners selecting Kenneth Grant, the defensive tackle out of Michigan whose huge 330-pound frame, run-stuffing ability and pass-rush prowess would address a huge issue for San Francisco's defense, which was consistently hampered by sub-par play on the interior of the trenches in 2024.

In the second round, Valentino has the 49ers using the 43rd overall pick to address the tackle position, San Francisco selecting Arizona's Jonah Savaiinaea.

Savaiinaea was a three-year starter at Arizona and would be a strong fit for the 49er running game having played in a zone-based offense that mixed in gap scheme runs.,

In his final season with the Wildcats, Savaiinaea ranked 12th among tackles eligible for the 2025 draft with at least 100 pass block snaps in Pro Football Focus pass block grade (83.7).

Crucially, Savaiinaea has significant experience playing both right and left tackle, meaning he could challenge Colton McKivitz for the starting job on the right side as a rookie while standing as a possible successor to Williams on the left side. McKivitz was at best an average starting right tackle once again in his second season at the position, and it is a spot the 49ers should clearly be looking to upgrade.

Some see Savaiinaea as more of a guard at the next level. Even if the 49ers share the same opinion, that would not necessarily preclude them from taking him. Starting left guard Aaron Banks is set for unrestricted free agency this offseason.

Either way, after hitting on the selection of right guard Dominick Puni in the third round last year, the 49ers need to continue to invest in the offensive line. Selecting a versatile scheme fit in Savaiinaea would be a smart way to do so.

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It’s set to net them a very useful asset.