Earlier this week, we ran an item about the 49ers inquiring about former Charger right tackle Shane Olivea. That was the first hint they were concerned about their depth behind Jonas Jennings.

The Santa Rosa Press-Democrat confirms those concerns today with the news that rookie Chilo Rachal will move from guard to right tackle for the remainder of the offseason workouts. The paper reports that USC never played Rachal at the position because they feared he’d be so good that he’d wind up leaving early for the NFL. That backfired when Rachal jumped anyway to help his mother pay medical bills stemming from a stomach tumor.

The Niners are wise to consider a Plan B for Jennings. He’s never played 16 games in a season and has only played in 21 contests over his three years with the team. They moved Adam Snyder inside to replace Larry Allen and are short on other tackles with NFL experience. If nothing else, exposing Rachal to the new position should improve their flexibility if (when?) Jennings goes down to injury again.

The biggest knock on Rachal coming out of USC was that he lacked the athletic ability to be a good pass protector. That wouldn’t seem to mesh well with a Mike Martz offense, even for a right tackle, so we’ll see if the move becomes a permanent one.