When the San Francisco 49ers selected Carver Willis out of Washington in the later rounds of the 2026 NFL Draft, there was an immediate question: Where exactly does a college right tackle fit on a roster that already features Trent Williams, Colton McKivitz, and a host of capable swing tackles?
Now, just days into rookie minicamp, Willis himself has provided the answer. In a candid interview with reporters following his first practices in a 49ers uniform, the rookie offensive lineman detailed the specific plans the organization has for him--plans that reveal both Kyle Shanahan and John Lynch's long-term vision for the offensive line and how a versatile, technically sound blocker can carve out a role in one of the NFL's most demanding schemes.
According to Willis, the 49ers didn't draft him to simply develop at his college position. Instead, they have a more intentional--and potentially more valuable--path in mind.
A Position Change in the Making
Willis revealed that the team's coaching staff, led by head coach Kyle Shanahan and general manager John Lynch, have already communicated that they envision him playing primarily at guard, with the ability to cross-train at tackle as needed.
"They told me straight up: they see me inside," Willis said. "They like my length, my anchor, and the way I play with leverage. They said my skill set translates better to guard in their system, especially in the run game. I'm all for it. I just want to get on the field."
This is a significant reveal for several reasons. Willis played exclusively at right tackle during his time at Washington, where he earned a reputation as a steady, technically sound pass protector with adequate quickness--but not elite length for the edge. At 6-foot-5 and 315 pounds, his frame is more suited for the interior at the NFL level, where he can use his strength and wrestling background to handle powerful defensive tackles rather than rely solely on foot speed to mirror NFL edge rushers.
The 49ers have a history of successfully moving college tackles to guard. Current starting right guard Dominick Puni was a tackle at Kansas before the 49ers drafted him and shifted him inside. Puni has become one of the more reliable interior linemen in the league. Willis appears to be following a similar blueprint.
What This Means for the 49ers' Offensive Line
The timing of this revelation is particularly interesting because the 49ers' interior offensive line is undergoing a transition. While Jake Brendel remains entrenched at center, the guard spots have been a mix of veterans and developing players. With Puni locked in at right guard, the left guard position has been a focus throughout the offseason.
Willis's projected move to guard provides the 49ers with added depth and competition. Currently, the roster includes guards Connor Colby, Robert Jones, and Dominick Puni. Jones, a veteran addition, brings experience, while Colby is a younger player still finding his footing. Willis enters a room where he can learn behind established players while also pushing for a spot on the 53-man roster as a versatile backup who can play either guard position as needed.
What makes Willis particularly appealing is his fit in Shanahan's wide-zone rushing attack. The 49ers' scheme prizes offensive linemen who can reach second-level blocks, climb to linebackers, and move laterally with fluidity. Willis's athleticism, honed during his time in Washington's offense, translates well to that style. He may not be an elite athlete by NFL standards, but he possesses the footwork and competitive toughness that the 49ers value in their interior linemen.
"I think the biggest thing for me is that I'm not just a guy who can sit there and wall off," Willis explained. "I can get to the second level. I can combo block. I can pull. They showed me film of how they use their guards in the run game, and I got excited. It fits what I do."
The Development Path Ahead
The 49ers have indicated that Willis will spend most of training camp and the preseason working exclusively at guard. The team's offensive line coach--whom Willis praised for his detailed teaching style--has already begun drilling him on the nuances of interior play: hand placement against shorter, quicker defenders; timing of double teams; and different leverage points required when facing a 3-technique versus a 5-technique defensive lineman.
It is a significant transition, but one Willis believes will accelerate his path to contributing. In San Francisco's system, interior offensive linemen who can start are highly valued, and the team has been proactive about developing them. The 49ers have invested heavily in their offensive line infrastructure over recent years, and Willis is the latest beneficiary of that philosophy.
"I'm drinking from a fire hose right now, but that's what I wanted," Willis said. "I didn't come here to sit. I came here to compete. The coaches have given me a clear roadmap. Now it's on me to execute."
Roster Implications
With Willis now projected to compete at guard, the 49ers' offensive line picture becomes clearer but also more competitive. The team currently lists nine offensive tackles on its roster, including Trent Williams, Colton McKivitz, Vederian Lowe, Brandon Parker, Austen Pleasants, Nick Zakelj, Isaac Alarcon, Zach Thomas, and Carver Willis himself. While Williams and McKivitz are locks at the starting tackle spots, the depth behind them is deep but not settled.
By moving Willis inside, the 49ers are signaling that they see more value in his versatility than in his sole ability to compete at tackle. This also suggests the team is comfortable with their tackle depth--players like Lowe, Parker, and Pleasants have experience and can fill in if needed--but still seeks competition and future upside at guard.
It is also worth noting that the 49ers' coaching staff, including offensive coordinator Klay Kubiak, has been deeply involved in the offensive line's development. Kubiak, like Shanahan, comes from a zone-blocking background, and the continuity between coordinator and head coach should smooth Willis's transition.
A Long-Term Investment
While Willis is unlikely to start as a rookie--the 49ers have established veterans at both guard spots--the team clearly views him as a developmental piece with starter potential down the road. The fact the organization has already communicated a clear position change before training camp even begins suggests a multi-year plan for him.
For the 49ers, who consistently build through the draft and develop homegrown offensive linemen, Willis represents another bet on their evaluation and coaching. He is not a flashy pick but fits the profile of the kind of player who can emerge as a reliable starter in Year 2 or Year 3.
"It's about finding players who fit what we do," general manager John Lynch said earlier in the offseason when asked about the team's draft philosophy. "Sometimes that means moving guys to different spots. It's not about where they played in college; it's about where they can be great for us."
Carver Willis is now the latest test of that philosophy. And if his first few days in a 49ers uniform are any indication, he is embracing the challenge.
The Bigger Picture
The 49ers enter the 2026 season with championship aspirations. The roster is loaded with talent on both sides of the ball. But offensive line depth has been a quiet concern for years, especially given the injury history of key players. By drafting Willis and immediately charting a path for him at guard, the 49ers are addressing that concern before it becomes a problem.
If Willis can develop into a reliable interior backup--or even a future starter--it will be yet another feather in the cap of an organization that has consistently found value in the middle and later rounds of the draft.
For now, the message from the 49ers' coaching staff is clear: Carver Willis is a guard in their system. And he is ready to prove he belongs.
"I'm just grateful for the opportunity," Willis said. "The 49ers saw something in me, and I'm going to do everything I can to show they were right."