The San Francisco 49ers face growing questions about the future as Trent Williams, their stalwart left tackle, nears the end of his <a href="https://www.buzzineintl.com/category/football/nfl/”>NFL career, with recent Trent Williams 49ers replacement rumors suggesting head coach Kyle Shanahan already has his eye on a successor for 2026. This speculation intensifies amid whispers in league circles and new mock drafts pointing to Auburn’s Xavier Chaplin as a leading candidate to fill Williams’ shoes when the time comes.
Uncertain Future for Trent Williams Spurs Replacement Speculation
As Williams approaches his late thirties, recent seasons have highlighted the challenges of longevity for even the most dominant offensive linemen. The 49ers’ veteran tackle missed seven games last year due to a lingering ankle injury, raising understandable concern about how much longer he can anchor the San Francisco offensive line. Williams himself has expressed a desire to keep playing, as he recently stated,
“I would love to play until I’m 40,”
—Trent Williams, Offensive Tackle—but the physical toll is clear, and the organization faces mounting pressure to secure his replacement.
The team’s choice to skip drafting an offensive tackle this year has only fueled rumors about the direction they will take when Williams eventually retires or his performance declines. Insider Joe DeLeone, closely observing the 49ers’ strategy, notes that Shanahan is actively considering the way forward, citing early 2026 mock drafts projecting offensive tackle upgrades as a key priority. DeLeone’s analysis points to Auburn’s Xavier Chaplin as a highly touted prospect who is gaining traction among NFL evaluators. In DeLeone’s words,
“Xavier Chaplin possesses the length and physical play style to be an impactful starting offensive lineman in the NFL,”
—Joe DeLeone, NFL Analyst.
Chaplin, who began his college career at Virginia Tech before transferring to Auburn, has quickly become one of the more intriguing left tackle prospects heading into the new season. At an imposing 6’7” and 338 pounds, Chaplin brings a rare combination of size and athleticism. For comparison, Williams stands at 6’5” and 320 pounds, indicating Chaplin’s potential to physically dominate the same position. The accolades don’t stop at his physical presence. Chaplin’s resume includes All-American status and All-ACC honorable mention, while advanced metrics from Pro Football Focus reveal a 70.4 run-blocking grade and a 72.8 pass-blocking mark in 2023, with just two sacks allowed over 607 snaps. As DeLeone also remarked,
“As Trent Williams ages out, an heir to his position should be on the San Francisco 49ers’ radar for this draft.”
—Joe DeLeone, NFL Analyst.
Although the 49ers are openly betting on Williams to return for the 2025 campaign, the uncertainty surrounding his health and durability leaves the franchise in a state of cautious optimism, knowing they must prepare for a changing of the guard.
49ers’ Draft Strategies and Prospect Profiles for 2026
Mock drafts for 2026 have surfaced numerous names as potential fits for the left tackle role, with Chaplin emerging as a favorite. Scouts and analysts remain divided on his ultimate ceiling, citing the need for an impressive senior season to confirm his standing as a first-round selection. Some observers have also named Louisiana State University’s Will Campbell as a contender to replace Williams someday. Campbell, another highly rated lineman, has impressed with his 80.6 pass-blocking grade in 2024 but raised concerns about his arm length measured at less than 33 inches during the NFL Scouting Combine. Regardless, CBS Sports’ Josh Edwards sees Campbell as a likely anchor under Williams’ eventual tutelage, but stops short of any guarantees.
49ers general manager John Lynch is believed to be balancing the team’s offensive line needs against other critical roster gaps. Some mock drafts and reports suggest that a high-profile edge rusher, such as Myles Garrett, could also be a target, reflecting the wider overhaul the roster is experiencing. The departure of franchise staples like Deebo Samuel, Dre Greenlaw, Javon Hargrave, and Talanoa Hufanga has forced the 49ers into a delicate balance, aiming to stay competitive in the <a href="https://www.buzzineintl.com/category/football/nfl/nfc/”>NFC while ushering in a new era defined by younger talent and financial flexibility.
Building for the Future: Targeted Rounds and Projected Picks
According to the latest three-round mock draft shared by Joe DeLeone, the 49ers are not focusing exclusively on the offensive line. DeLeone’s projections place LSU wide receiver Barion Brown as a second-round pick for San Francisco and Indiana edge rusher Mikail Kamara as their third-round selection. These moves would attempt to address roster needs on both offense and defense, providing a holistic approach to team building amid a dramatic shift in player personnel that has left seventeen members of last season’s roster departed, including some long-cherished names.
The 49ers’ offseason dynamics have been shaped by the challenge of replacing these lost veterans while negotiating impending contractual obligations, such as the expected extension for quarterback Brock Purdy. This confluence of roster turnover and salary cap considerations makes the upcoming draft choices pivotal not only for the next season, but for the team’s trajectory several years from now.
Heightened Pressure as Defensive Personnel and Coaching Shift
As Robert Saleh returns as San Francisco’s defensive coordinator, the expectations are immense for both immediate competitiveness and the nurturing of a new foundation of talent. The defense could see renewed schemes and an infusion of new players aligned with Saleh’s vision—a storyline intertwined with the offense’s own transition. As the 49ers maneuver through these departures, showcase new faces, and plan for cornerstone contract decisions, their overarching draft war-room philosophy remains: find the next franchise left tackle, stabilize the offense for years to come, and compete in an increasingly loaded NFC.
With their core getting older and financial limitations pressing, the 49ers’ future could rest on their ability to strike gold through the draft. While offensive line upgrades, particularly the search for Trent Williams’ eventual replacement, dominate the conversation, rumors surrounding potential marquee signings and unexpected picks also provide intrigue as 2026 approaches.
Evaluating Chapman, Campbell, and the Path Ahead
The central question remains: Can Xavier Chaplin meet the sky-high standard set by Trent Williams in San Francisco? The answer likely hinges on his continued progress at Auburn and draft evaluators’ confidence by the end of the 2025 college season. Chaplin’s measurable traits, combined with his rapid ascent through two competitive collegiate programs, make him a compelling candidate. Nevertheless, his selection and seamless transition to the NFL will demand not only readiness and versatility, but also favorable conditions in the draft order and the endorsement of both Shanahan and Lynch.
Potential alternatives such as Will Campbell remain on the radar, with their stock fluctuating based on senior-year play and combine measurements. Analysts are clear that nothing is certain, but the direction the franchise takes with its first-round pick, and perhaps with additional day-two selections, may well shape the team’s outlook long after Williams hangs up his cleats.
As the speculation over Trent Williams 49ers replacement rumors continues, all eyes will remain fixed on Auburn’s Chaplin, LSU’s Campbell, and any other standout tackles who could help propel the San Francisco 49ers into a durable, winning era beyond one of the NFL’s best offensive linemen.
Our Reader’s Queries
Q. What happened to Trent Williams’ baby?
A. Trent Williams, who plays offensive tackle for the San Francisco 49ers, and his wife Sondra were expecting twins. Their son, Trenton O’Brien Williams Jr., sadly passed away before birth at 35 weeks pregnant.
Q. How did Trent Williams’ twins pass away?
A. Sondra Williams explained that Trenton’s death happened after he was found to have a rare chromosome problem called Trisomy 13. She also mentioned that his twin passed away early during her pregnancy.
Q. What disease did Trent Williams have?
A. Doctors later found out Trent had Anaplastic Medulloblastoma, which is a type of brain cancer that grows very quickly. This diagnosis explained his serious health problems.