49ers Offensive Line

OL has definitely been a concern for most. RT was a big issue especially early in the year. RG was bad outside of Feliciano. Brendel needs upgraded. Banks allowed pressure too often, and Williams was getting older. Big OT draft but the good ones went early. After not having higher picks lately, we couldn't afford to trade up and miss out on help elsewhere. We had a shot at OT in the 2nd (one with a trade up) but both those guys were raw. I thought they might have been targeting Caeden Wallace later but he went earlier than expected. We did get OL help with Puni, Kingston, and Nugent. We signed Hubbard after the draft so we should be ok this year for OT. The injury to Brendel clears way to replace him. Puni will replace Burford.

I'd expect line to be:
Williams Banks Feliciano Puni McKivitz

That would improve two fifths of the line.
Hubbard can take over for McKivitz if he struggles.
We also went for new OL with good shot shuttle times. i think we'll emphasize pass protection more and spread people out more for the outside zone runs. We may see more 3 WR sets and passing too.
Next year, I expect the line to transition to

Williams Kingston Nugent Puni rookie/traded OT

We need to see who will be available to us mid to late in the draft. We'll have an extra 3rd and can trade Deebo for a pick (2nd) to move up if needed.
Will Campbell is the big name but he will go early. Blake Miller is a name i will follow in the fall.

The other avenue is to keep an eye out for any top tackle that might come available for trade. We won't find another deal like the one we got for Trent. it will be expensive.

One is Tristian Wirfs. He had a greater chance to be available if they had decided to rebuild. Then they had Mayfield play well and aren't doing that.
They've resigned many people so far and are working on Wirfs. They aren't close in contract talks though.

The other one I looked at is Rashawn Slater. it's who we should have gotten in 2020.
He's played real well at times but also had some injuries. He had the great short shuttle time too and would be best in a zone blocking scheme.
He doesn't seem to fit the new scheme. Harbaugh wants big boy maulers to run the ball.
They picked Alt. He should be the LT. After the pick, Harbaugh said Slater is in Limbo and then later changed to say he's the LT.
They picked up his 5th year option. He's only making around 5 mil this year so he doesn't have to be traded this year. He goes to 20 mil next year. For OTA's, they tried Alt at RT but he had trouble adjusting to that side and should be the LT at some point.
They could try this setup for the year with Slater at LT for now to hold his value until they try to trade him.
They need vet WR's too. We could still trade Deebo plus a pick once Aiyuk signs and Pearsall shows he's ready to roll. Any trade might not be till deadline or next year even. Still possible Chargers just make it work with both players for awhile.

Originally posted by TopDogBerkeley:
Jaylon Moore was drafted in the 5th round. Why isn't he an All-Pro by now?

Never player him at guard where he'd actually have value.

Originally posted by dlance:

Originally posted by Giedi:
I think the 3 first rounders trade up for Trey really cramped the 49ers in getting some good OLine players. Not complaining about landing Brock in the 7th round, as you can get first round talent level players in the 7th round. But they are rare as heck.

Marry a good OLine coach with Day 2 picks (like Forester and the Puni) pick, I think is a good way to go in the future. They have a good DLine coach and they team that up with first round level talent (Kocurek and Bosa/Drake), I think Foerster and day 2 level talent from here on out will work in the future. (I.e. Banks/Foerster.)

I agree you do not need to use 1st round pick to build a great OL. It is really difficult to build a great OL with nothing but a 5th 6th 7th and UDF on the line. What is hurting the OL depth and talent is Kyle, trading up Reuben Foster, Dante Pettis, Trey Sermon, using third round pick on skilled player like Danny Gray, Tyrion Davis-Price, Cameron Latu, Drafting a Punter in the 4th round and a Kicker in the third round. They traded for Emmanuel Sanders, and Christian McCaffrey. The McCaffrey trade is a great trade however that is 3 draft in a row using 3 third / 1 second round pick plus the 3 forth round pick they traded on RBs. Over Drafting Ricky Pearsall is another example, I hope he is a great player. They could have most likely traded back, pick up extra third and still draft Ricky Pearsall in the second round while using the extra Pick on an OL. This is why the OL is lacking and why the OL is Average in the league. Kyle over drafts skilled player and Kickers while he under values the OL. That's a lot of second the third round pick on WR and RB. Put it this way in 3 back to back drafts through trading and drafting using 7 pick on 3 RB, while the only OL draft in the top 3 rounds was Aaron Banks and he might be there second best OL playing.

You have some truth to your statement above that utilizing day three picks isn't going to build great OLine talent and depth. I agree. I think one reason is that Jimmy was a different QB than Purdy. Jimmy needed a heavy run game to give him time to read defenses, because he couldn't process as fast as QB Purdy. With most teams nowadays emphasizing the pass, the run blockers were more plentiful in the day 3 part of the draft. (whereas you can see how the quality OLine pass protectors are in high demand). So good pass protectors go early in the draft. ShanaLynch previous heavy emphasis on a very heavy (almost Greg Roman-esque) run game was - I think - because of Jimmy.

Purdy has changed that equation, and it's taken about two years to transition from a Jimmy-run-esque offense to a more Purdy Pass-esque offense. Purdy is just a gifted passer. We may see Feliciano/Puni take over Brendel and Burford's job - we shall see.

Originally posted by dlance:

Originally posted by Giedi:

Originally posted by CatchMaster80:

Originally posted by Giedi:

Originally posted by mcwoot:
Yes OL and secondary were both huge needs so we used our first on a WR

Yeach, agree. I'm not that happy with how the draft came down. But if ShanaLynch is confident they can get those Elijah Mitchell's and Brock Purdy's of the OLine in the day 3 of the draft - it kind of makes some sense.

They drafted McGlinchey, Solomon, Reuben in the first round and players in Day 3 have outperformed them (Kittle, Warner, Azeez etc...) I think McKivitz - overall now - is much better than McGlinchey at his best here, before he was let go.

After watching so many high draft picks fail and so many UDFA and low draft picks succeed I've come to the conclusion that it makes no difference where you get your players. Good players can be found all over . High draft picks are often over rated . Maybe it's because they played on college teams that were loaded with talent or they just tested well at the combine. Until we see them in the NFL we can't make any real evaluation.

Agre💯%, and I'll just add that sometimes throwing numbers at a need tips the chances in your favor. ShanaLynch chose 2 QBs in two years consecutively. One panned out.

Same I think with the OLine. I just counted 17 OLinemen currently on the 90 man roster. I'm hoping they hit on some of them this year to bolster or compete with last year's starters.

This is fantastic news . Can the 49er please draft nothing but OL and DB in the top 4 round for the next 4 years. They can fill the rest of the team position with 5th,6th,7th and UDFA because it make no difference where you get your players. I realize 5 play but this will give good number to help them pan out. I'm joking , I'm not trying to be a jerk but this is ridiculous. Last year I think they carried 9 OL the 5 starters and 4 back up. Out of the 17 Linemen in camp 5 starter + Dominick Puni, Jarrett Kingston, Jaylon Moore and Spencer Burford. This is most likely who make the team. Now if they would have drafted a Tackle in the second round Jaylon Moore or Spencer Burford would be gone, McKivitz would most likely be a back up and the O line would be better. By adding Dominick Puni I think the O line is better. look forward to see Jarrett Kingston. I think they should have done more to improve the line. Next year we will be right back here talking about the same thing. Banks will most likely be gone, with Dominick Puni taking his place. Trent will be old and they currently have zero replacement lined up.

Great points above about the 49ers could have done more. I also think the Puni, Moore, Burford and Kingston will make the 53 and possibly become starters. Walsh did a trade down of their first round pick in the '86 draft and set the team up for multiple Superbowl's with that one draft.

I think one big reason to trade down that first rounder is to get more picks within that day one and day two range. I think day one and two range is starter level talent. Day 3 are developmental players that need one or more years to develop into starter level players.

Originally posted by Giedi:

Originally posted by dlance:

Originally posted by Giedi:

Originally posted by CatchMaster80:

Originally posted by Giedi:

Originally posted by mcwoot:
Yes OL and secondary were both huge needs so we used our first on a WR

Yeach, agree. I'm not that happy with how the draft came down. But if ShanaLynch is confident they can get those Elijah Mitchell's and Brock Purdy's of the OLine in the day 3 of the draft - it kind of makes some sense.

They drafted McGlinchey, Solomon, Reuben in the first round and players in Day 3 have outperformed them (Kittle, Warner, Azeez etc...) I think McKivitz - overall now - is much better than McGlinchey at his best here, before he was let go.

After watching so many high draft picks fail and so many UDFA and low draft picks succeed I've come to the conclusion that it makes no difference where you get your players. Good players can be found all over . High draft picks are often over rated . Maybe it's because they played on college teams that were loaded with talent or they just tested well at the combine. Until we see them in the NFL we can't make any real evaluation.

Agre💯%, and I'll just add that sometimes throwing numbers at a need tips the chances in your favor. ShanaLynch chose 2 QBs in two years consecutively. One panned out.

Same I think with the OLine. I just counted 17 OLinemen currently on the 90 man roster. I'm hoping they hit on some of them this year to bolster or compete with last year's starters.

This is fantastic news . Can the 49er please draft nothing but OL and DB in the top 4 round for the next 4 years. They can fill the rest of the team position with 5th,6th,7th and UDFA because it make no difference where you get your players. I realize 5 play but this will give good number to help them pan out. I'm joking , I'm not trying to be a jerk but this is ridiculous. Last year I think they carried 9 OL the 5 starters and 4 back up. Out of the 17 Linemen in camp 5 starter + Dominick Puni, Jarrett Kingston, Jaylon Moore and Spencer Burford. This is most likely who make the team. Now if they would have drafted a Tackle in the second round Jaylon Moore or Spencer Burford would be gone, McKivitz would most likely be a back up and the O line would be better. By adding Dominick Puni I think the O line is better. look forward to see Jarrett Kingston. I think they should have done more to improve the line. Next year we will be right back here talking about the same thing. Banks will most likely be gone, with Dominick Puni taking his place. Trent will be old and they currently have zero replacement lined up.

Great points above about the 49ers could have done more. I also think the Puni, Moore, Burford and Kingston will make the 53 and possibly become starters. Walsh did a trade down of their first round pick in the '86 draft and set the team up for multiple Superbowl's with that one draft.

I think one big reason to trade down that first rounder is to get more picks within that day one and day two range. I think day one and two range is starter level talent. Day 3 are developmental players that need one or more years to develop into starter level players.

With the new college rules and more players staying in school it seems the top 3/4 rounds will become very valuable whereas 5 on will drop significantly.

Some have said the line should be: TW | Banks | Feliciano | Puni | McKivitz

Obviously RT is scary with a rookie RG next to him, but that may be our best 5 to roll will. Since its very hard for all 5 guys to stay healthy all year our depth will be just as important. Especially at tackle... oooooof

NC right now

Originally posted by NYniner85:

Chris Foerster's opinion: "Invest in guys that touch the ball…We can find offensive lineman in the 5th or 6th rounds…I think we can develop those players."

— Tracy Sandler (@TracyFGSN) May 29, 2024

NC right now

Well that has kept us from Superbowl wins in the past so....

Lets do the opposite

Trent Williams is an example of going strong on OL.

Forester seems very high on Jaylon Moore. Says he keeps improving every year. Kyle also talked highly of him this offseason. So he is pretty much a lock.

Trent
Banks
Brendel
Feliciano
Mckivitz
Puni
Moore

7 locks IMO. And Burford is close to a lock.

Originally posted by NYniner85:

Chris Foerster's opinion: "Invest in guys that touch the ball…We can find offensive lineman in the 5th or 6th rounds…I think we can develop those players."

— Tracy Sandler (@TracyFGSN) May 29, 2024

NC right now

We are f**ked in the most f**kable way of all the f**kable ways known by mankind

Which way is that? Missionary?

Originally posted by RonnieLott:
Which way is that? Missionary?

no, it's called the SB

Originally posted by NYniner85:

Chris Foerster's opinion: "Invest in guys that touch the ball…We can find offensive lineman in the 5th or 6th rounds…I think we can develop those players."

— Tracy Sandler (@TracyFGSN) May 29, 2024

NC right now

Not sure why Tracy was clearly baiting the fanbase with that but the video of the actual full quote made me feel much better about things.

Originally posted by Cisco0623:
With the new college rules and more players staying in school it seems the top 3/4 rounds will become very valuable whereas 5 on will drop significantly.

Some have said the line should be: TW | Banks | Feliciano | Puni | McKivitz

Obviously RT is scary with a rookie RG next to him, but that may be our best 5 to roll will. Since its very hard for all 5 guys to stay healthy all year our depth will be just as important. Especially at tackle... oooooof

Great points about the college game really changing because of the NIL and conference shifts. I can see star players that would go first round make more money staying in college vs being drafted by the NFL.

Day 3 guys like Zakelj, Moore and McKivits are guys that Foerster likes.

And were we possibly ready to draft guys higher in the draft? Yes. But if there's somebody that can touch the ball and make plays, in my opinion, if you ask me, 'Chris, do you want him?' I want the guy that touches the ball, for me. Because I think we can develop those players much more readily and have developed those players through the times because we do have specific things that we're looking for. We know what we're looking for through the course of time. That's the advantage of being together with Kyle for so long that we kind of can pigeonhole these guys.
-- Chris Foerster

So unless ShanaLynch force feeds Foerster some Day 1 or Day 2 offensive line picks, he'll go day 3 picks all day because it's the *system* and he knows how to develop them from day 3 picks to equivalent day 1 picks. I think ShanaLynch got tired of being out-talented in the playoffs and the Superbowl and picked Puni high to get that talent edge back at the playoff and Superbowl level.

There is a difference in talent between a day one pick and a day three pick. I.e just look at the production of CMC vs Matt Brieda or Elija Mitchell. I think Foerster can get away with system fit OLine players in the regular season, but in the playoffs - guys that are bigger, stronger, and faster will dominate guys that don't have the size, strength, and power. (Burford vs Chris Jones).

Originally posted by genus49:

Originally posted by NYniner85:

Chris Foerster's opinion: "Invest in guys that touch the ball…We can find offensive lineman in the 5th or 6th rounds…I think we can develop those players."

— Tracy Sandler (@TracyFGSN) May 29, 2024

NC right now

Not sure why Tracy was clearly baiting the fanbase with that but the video of the actual full quote made me feel much better about things.

#49ers OL coach Chris Foerster on why they haven't invested in offensive linemen with first or second round picks that often in the draft:

"My personal opinion, invest in guys that touch the ball. Guys that can touch the ball and score touchdowns. There's a range of guys, 2nd,… pic.twitter.com/iYhQRILyBA

— Coach Yac 🗣 (@Coach_Yac) May 30, 2024

I think Purdy can make that happen - substandard OLine players matched up with his superior processing speed. But there is that 1% chance that Purdy is going to get killed when substandard OLine play isn't enough. Usually it's in the playoffs when that happens unfortunately. In the playoffs every team is facing elite edge and DLine defenders (Riddick, Chris Jones, Bosa etc....) I think that's one of the team criterias for making the playoffs - having at least one elite edge defender on your team. Otherwise, I don't think you can even make the playoffs without one.