The San Francisco 49ers are hunting a left guard at the upcoming NFL Draft. But they may have a fallback option if they don’t find their man next weekend in Pittsburgh.
The Niners are reportedly interested in veteran Joel Bitonio and may target him if they can’t find a serviceable option to play next to left tackle Trent Williams.
Niners insider David Lombardi floated Bitonio’s name on his recent podcast. Bitonio has spent his entire 12-season NFL career with the Cleveland Browns and is a seven-time Pro Bowler, two-time first-team All-Pro and a three-time second-team All-Pro.
The 49ers Could Target Joel Bitonio to Play Left Guard
Bitonio has spent his entire career with the Browns, and according to Lombardi, he isn’t even sure he is going to play in the NFL next season.
Right now, the 49ers are, of course, in win-now mode and are riding a three-headed and unproven group of guards at that position.
“They’ve even said they’re going to target that left-guard position,” Lombardi said.
They could choose Caleb Lomu, who is being mock drafted to them and whom they hosted for a visit this week, but Lombardi rightly spelled out that he may not be the proper fit for the Niners.
“It seems to me that Caleb Lomu would have a tough time filling [a Niners starting O-line spot],” Lombardi said, “unless I’m missing something about his play strength when I watch his tape.”
Plus, Bitonio has local ties to the Northern California area that could make him amenable to joining the 49ers.
“He went to the University of Nevada up in Reno, and he was up there for an event, and essentially said he was undecided about playing,” Lombardi said. “But he obviously didn’t rule returning to play in his 13th season. But he said he’d probably make a decision after the NFL Draft, at least that what he inferred.
“The willingness to play right now has not matched the 49ers. He’s unsure if he’s going to retire or not moving forward. But those things can all change with an evolving landscape, and the next tectonic shift can happen at the NFL Draft.”
Lombardi then expressed why Bitonio’s decision-making timetable aligns with what the 49ers are hoping to do.
“If the 49ers do not draft enough talent at their respective positions, and it’s hard to tell what they’re going to do. Even they do not know how the draft is going to break,” Lombardi said, “[Bitonio is a guy] they can have on speed dial to potentially fill, in Bitonio’s case left guard.”
The 49ers May Want to Bring Sign Joey Bosa Too
Nick Bosa has, of course, been a Niners stalwart for years. His brother Joey Bosa may get to create bookend Bosas for their pass rush.
Joey is a free agent, and Lombardi referenced the older Bosa as a potential free agent fit for the Niners if they can’t pick an impact EDGE with their six picks — or more if they can acquire those in a trade for Brandon Aiyuk — and why a deal hasn’t come together yet.
“The price right now has not matched for the 49ers and Joey Bosa,” Lombardi said.
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