There's no sugarcoating it, the 49ers' interior offensive line depth is a massive problem.

Last season, the 49ers hit the reset button on the interior line with three new starters and saw Jake Brendel, Aaron Banks and Spencer Burford vindicate San Francisco's faith in them.

The 49ers can have confidence in their starters in the heart of the trenches. Yet their opening two preseason games have exposed a distinct lack of dependable reserves, to an extent where it would be an astute move to look into acquiring at least one new backup from outside the building, with Nick Harris of the Cleveland Browns a compelling candidate.

A distinct lack of depth

The 49ers this offseason signed veteran Jon Feliciano to provide depth on the interior. He has allowed just one pressure in preseason, per Pro Football Focus, but others have been less reliable.

Nick Zakelj, the 49ers' sixth-round pick from a year ago and the favorite to be the other immediate interior backup along with Feliciano, has given up five pressures in preseason, though only one of those came in last Saturday's win over the Broncos. Former undrafted free agent Jason Poe (two pressures) has fared better, but it may still be too early in his career for the Niners to rely on him as an undersized guard at 6ft 1in and 300 pounds. He will likely land on the practice squad.

Keith Ismael provides center-guard versatility but failed to build on an encouraging showing against the Raiders, enduring a slight drop-off in performance versus the Broncos.

If the 49ers don't believe they can lean on any of their backups on the interior line beyond Feliciano, then it would behoove them to identify outside help who can solidify their depth.

Harris an intriguing fit

With experience of playing in a similar offensive system in Cleveland, Harris projects as a strong fit. He was in position to be the Browns' starting center last season, only for a season-ending knee injury to rob him of that opportunity.

That role now belongs to Ethan Pocic and Harris' roster spot in Cleveland looks in jeopardy because of the emergence of rookie sixth-round pick Luke Wypler. 

But the 49ers could certainly use a backup with starting center upside behind Jake Brendel. At 24, Harris has room to grow that is not present with Feliciano and has starting experience Zakelj does not possess, having started a game at right guard as a rookie in 2020 and another at center in 2021. He did not give up a pressure in his lone start at center, per PFF.

Nick Harris finds work, delivers a punch on Jalen Carter pic.twitter.com/sYbLuEy3gK

— Cory (@fakecorykinnan) August 20, 2023

San Francisco might want to stick with Zakelj given the work the 49ers have put into developing him. But Harris, who could cost as little as a seventh-round pick in a potential trade, would give them a versatile interior lineman whose best years are still ahead of him who has some experience of excelling in a regular-season game.

Given his history of knee problems, a trade for Harris would be a gamble. However, the potential pay-off is significant. Instead of having Feliciano and a series of question-marks, the 49ers could have two backups in Feliciano and Harris with, albeit significantly varying, experience of playing both interior line spots. Harris' upside as a player who could eventually challenge Brendel for the starting center job makes him an even more appealing potential target.

The 49ers have limited insurance on the interior of the O-Line. Harris can upgrade the second-string and possibly provide competition in the years to come. For those reasons, he is worthy of a dart throw at a clear area of weakness for San Francisco.

Cornerback depth is turning into a shock luxury for the 49ers

They have several versatile options at the position.

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