San Francisco 49ers 2021 mock draft: Building around Mac Jones

The San Francisco 49ers have a pretty quick turnaround from their compensatory third-round selection to their fourth-round selection, so they can be flexible with their first pick and hope someone else they like drops a few spots to round four.

Although interior offensive line is a more pressing need, the value of Cincinnati offensive lineman James Hudson was too good to pass up on at this particular spot.

With Hudson’s movement skills and strength, he could potentially play inside as a guard in the Shanahan offense anyway.

The former defensive lineman has shown flashes of brilliance in his transition to the offensive line, and he certainly has long-term upside as a left tackle if that’s where teams see him fitting over the long haul.

Even as raw as he is, if the 49ers pencil him in next to Trent Williams on the left side of their line, he could learn from one of the greats and give the Niners a tough, nasty left side of the line for the foreseeable future.

At this stage of the draft, Hudson is a worthwhile dart throw for the 49ers at an extremely valuable position.