The 49ers are already assured of adding an offensive lineman they rated as a second-round talent.
The 49ers were looking ahead last year when they selected guard Brandon Thomas in the third round, anticipating Mike Iupati would not return to the organization this season as a free agent.
General manager Trent Baalke said the club had Thomas rated as a second-round pick a year ago. But he dropped to the third round, where the 49ers selected him, after Thomas sustained an ACL tear during a pre-draft workout for the New Orleans Saints.
Thomas, who checked in at 6 foot 3 ¼, 317 pounds at last year's combine, played left tackle his junior and senior seasons at Clemson.