How did the Niners move on from Trent Williams, though?

The San Francisco 49ers remain on uncertain footing with their future Hall of Fame left tackle, Trent Williams.

If there’s good news, the league new year has passed, and Williams remains on the roster.

For now, at least.

It’s possible all the chatter about Williams either being released or traded might’ve merely been a quiet permission by the Niners to let the lineman’s camp see what potential deals could be reached, ones that’d satisfy all three parties. But, as ESPN’s Adam Schefter suggested, that would be hard to come by, and it seems as if Williams ends up remaining with San Francisco no matter what.

But, CBS Sports’ Josh Edwards isn’t necessarily seeing it that way, and he made that clear in a recent mock draft that has the 49ers finding Williams’ heir apparent.

CBS Sports mock draft grants Caleb Lomu to 49ers as Trent Williams’ replacement

Edwards didn’t shy away from highlighting the rift between Williams and the Niners, using that as reason alone for San Francisco to select Utah offensive tackle Caleb Lomu at No. 27 overall:

“It seems as though the union between San Francisco and Trent Williams is coming to an end. Caleb Lomu would ideally have a season to learn from Williams but has the athleticism to thrive in Kyle Shanahan’s system.”

Lomu, 6-foot-6 and 308 pounds, is certainly viewed as one of the better tackle prospects in this year’s class, and it wouldn’t be overly shocking if the 49ers were honing in on him regardless of Williams’ immediate future.

However, Edwards doesn’t seem to go that route by implying the imminent split.

What is interesting, however, is there are no mocked trades in Edwards’ three-round mock. While one shouldn’t make too much out of that as it relates to Williams, this would lead to a conclusion the Niners simply released their stalwart left tackle as opposed to trading him for a pick within the first two days of the draft.

Preferably, San Francisco would get something in return if Williams isn’t back in 2026.

But Lomu could still be the target either way.