Guards
Laken Tomlinson - Laken Tomlinson is an interesting case. 6'3 320 lb guard from Duke was a 1st round draft pick for the Lions. He was there for 2 seasons before being traded to San Fran for a 5th rounder. Laken isn't perfect but the fact of the matter is he has started most of his career. He has been an above average guard in his tenure with an Francisco and got an 18 million dollar extension last season for his efforts. I can understand why Lynch made the trade for him. While he is so-so pass blocker, he is punishing in the run game and he is football smart and book smart, both are important to do well in Shanny's offense. He's basically a known quantity. A big strong NFL guard, who won't blow the doors off but won't screw you either.
Skills: B-
Performance: B-
Potential: B-
Overall: B-
Mike Person - Mike Person was oddly enough a 49ers pick in the 7th round after bouncing around the league he circled back here. He got an extension after the 2017 season but while he has filled in admirably, he's has no upside. There are upgrades at guard in the free agency and draft the past couple of offseasons and the 49ers haven't pursued them aggressively. Perhaps he could keep his job and most times offensive lines depend more on chemistry than overall talent. But it is what is its and person is a fine fill in and a great reserve since he can play both guard and center.
Skills: C+
Perforrmance: B-
Potential: C-
Overall: C
Joshua Garnett - Joshua Garnett was a 1st round pick in the 2016 NFL draft. It has not gone as planned. Garnnett was awful his his first year in the league and the past two years has sent his last are even worse becuase he hasn't stayed healthy, Last offseason was worse because he dropped 20lbs and changed his body to fit a zone offense and still got injured. He's a 3rd best guard on the team and he's only 25 but this season will make or break him as far as his NFL carer is concerned.
Skills: B
Performance: F
Potential: B
Overall: C-
Najee Toran - Longshot to make the roster he got a reserves contract back in January. He may be good enough to back up at guard in the future. He is only 23 and can continue to develop and improve as a potential NFL backup guards. He doesn't have the size to be a tackle at 6'2 300lbs but he showed himself to be a pretty capable pass blocker at UCLA playing for Josh Rosen. He useless as a power run blocker though. This guy is kind of a Wild Card. He could be out of the League this year or make the 53 man roster. His work ethic will make or break him.
Skills: C
Performance:D+
Potenital: D+
Overall: C-
Ben Garland - Drafted as an UDFA in the 2010 draft, he spent 5 years as a reserve for the Broncos while serving in the Air Force (in an administrative role). He was the starter for a beat up Andy Levitre last season and got an offer to play for San Fran this year. Honestly his tenure on the Falcons was bad. People like to shyt on Matt Ryan, not taking into account the offensive line was awful. Garland was often overmatched and exposed. Weirdly enough he'll probably be the backup guard if Tomlinson, Person and Garnett are hurt, but still let's be reality John Lynch is conservative he made this signing with his heart not his mind.
Skills: C-
Performance: D-
Potential: F
Overall: D
Ross Reynolds - Camp Body. He has NFL size to compete but his career depends on whether or not he can develop into a better pass blocker.He has the smarts, and he has the pedigree. Iowa is known for producing solid if not spectacular offensive linemen. He could be a lot like Eric Magnuson in the sense that he impresses every one and jumps his way into the 53 man roster.
Skills: C
Performance: D+
Potential: C
Overall: C-
Daniel Brunskill- Another developmental guard, he has drafted as a tackle but he lacks athleticism and the ability to block in space. He's another camp body.
Skills: D-
Permornance: F
Potential: D
Overall: D-
Willie Beavers - Drafted in 2016 as a 4th round pick. Willie Beavers is only in the league because of his size. He was clearly overdrafted by the Vikings with the idea he could maybe develop into a starting guard, but it hasn't been the case. I would be surprised if he made the 53 man roster, but he is a camp body, most likely.
Skills: D-
Performance: F
Potential: F
Overall: F
Unit Analysis - Guard is a crap shoot. Lynch never really addressed the position seriously outside of Laken Tomlinson and Mike Person, both of whom are veterans. He has filled the other spots mostly with cast offs and UDFA, and that puts a lot of pressure on the training staff and coached to suss out the wheat from the chaff. On the plus side it's really an open competition and all the other players are not so far removed from having chance to be primary backups/starters.
Unit Grade; C