Finally, they add an offensive player.
The 49ers just signed backup offensive tackle Brandon Parker to a one-year deal, the team announced on Monday. Theoretically, he replaced Matt Pryor, who was the 49ers backup right tackle last season.
Parker is the first offensive player the 49ers have added to their offense this offseason. And he might not make the team.
Parker is 28, and he has missed all but five games the past two seasons due to injuries. He originally was a the Raiders third-round pick in 2018 back when Jon Gruden was running their team. And Gruden was the coach who gave Kyle Shanahan his start in the NFL. So that’s probably why Shanahan likes Parker — because Gruden does, and those two see things similarly.
Still, it seems to me the 49ers are merely creating the illusion that they’ve addressed the right tackle position.
First, they gave Colton McKivitz a one-year extension through 2025, which isn’t much of an extension at all. The 49ers are not heavily invested in him. Then they signed Parker, who’s body might be breaking down.
Coming into the offseason, every analyst agreed that the 49ers’ No. 1 need was offensive tackle and that they most likely would draft one in Round 1. Now, analysts aren’t sure which position the 49ers will target with the first pick, which is exactly what the 49ers want.
Don’t be surprised if the 49ers draft an offensive tackle with their first pick, because there are at least seven offensive tackles in this draft who are better than McKivitz and Parker.
