feelosofer
#ninergang
Let's take a look at our offensive line.
Tackles
Trent Williams - After being acquired in 2020 for the cheap price of a 3rd and 5th rounder. We managed to land the best tackle in the NFL. Trent Williams blocks with great aggressiveness in the run game, occasionally flattening opposing defensive lineman. He is also an excellent pass blocker. Although 33 years old he should be able to play another 3 or 4 years at a very high level, and he better as he's being paid handsomely for his skills. On top of his physical abilities he has already been a positive mentor to all the younger players and I think he along with the coaching help elevate players like Colton McKivitz and the rookies of this previous draft. My only thing is, as he gets older he may miss a few games here and there due to injury but this is the case with most 30 year old linemen.
Performance: A+
Potential: B+
Overall: A+
Mike McGlinchey - 2018 9th overall pick in the draft. McGlinchey had a pretty strong rookie year but has since been up and down. In part due to his performance on the field and in part due to injuries he has suffered the past couple of seasons. McGlinchey is one of the better run blockers in the league, he can block straight up and he's athletic enough to block well in space. The problem his is a so-so pass blocker even amongst other right tackles and he has whiffed a few pass blocking assignments especially against speed rushers on a few occasions with that said, bad right guard play makes the tackle's job harder and if that improves this season, he should be better. This is also a contract year for him though to be honest, I do not expect him to leave. We will most likely extend him to a team friendly deal that keeps him on the team until he's 31 or 32.
Performance: B
Potential: B
Overall B
Colton McKivitz - 2020 5th round draft pick. I am on record not loving this pick, as I thought there were higher ceiling players still available in that draft. I was wrong. Spending the last 2 years in the weight room, his strength has increased considerably and when asked to come in, he has played well at guard and even better at tackle. McKivitz comes from a basketball background and it shows, he has good swing in his hips and is a capable enough pass and run blocker. He is the go to swing tackle unless proven otherwise.
Performance: B-
Potential: B-
Overall: B-
Nick Zakelj - Rookie 6th round draft pick from Fordham. Nick Zakelj is a big man, at 6'6 and 315 lbs. He is an intriguing prospect. He was a left tackle at Fordham but he will likely be trained to be a guard and tackle. He is a very good run blocker, he blocks through the whistle, drives his feet, all the good stuff. But his pass blocking technique is rough. He tends to shift his weight and one direction or another and he left his feet more than a few times. Despite this he can build himself up to be a solid backup in a year or two.
Performance: C+
Potential: C
Overall: C
Justin Skule - Justin Skule was drafted in the 6th round in the 2019 draft. Skule was drafted to be a swing tackle. He has quite a bit of starting experience and in 2019 and 2020 performing competently in the few games he did start. He tore his ACL last year and has spent the last year recovering. He played in the preseason and has not looked all that good in the preseason. It may be due him still recovering from his ACL injury but he might be a bubble player this year and may end up cut as the 49er added a lot of offensive linemen this previous offseason through the draft and UDFA.
Performance: C-
Potential: C-
Overall C-
Jaylon Moore - 2021 6th round pick. Jaylon Moore. Due to injuries at offensive Jaylon Moore has 3 starts and he played some snaps in preseason, where he looked like a backup. He is a slightly better run blocker than pass blocker but he wasn't great at either. I think he still needs another year of development. He'll make the final roster but he'll be looked as an emergency swing tackle and special teams player.
Performance: C-
Potential: C-
Overall: C-
Alfredo Gutierres - NFL exhange student from Mexico. I think he is just a curio. He's 6'9 and 335 and he made his NFL debut last week where he did participate in a run play that resulted in a first down. But I think he is just a practice squad player. But that size is intriguing and offensive line is a position where you can have a career in your late 20s. We'll see.
Performance: D
Potential: F
Overall: D-
Guards
Spencer Buford - 2022 NFL Rookie drafted in the 4th round. Spencer Buford has had an incredibly impressive camp. He has played like a 5 year veteran for the most part and has earned the starting position as a rookie, in my guess as a left guard. He came in a punishing run blocker but he was better than expected as a pass protector. He might be a the steal of his draft. He played a lot of tackle in high school and college but he is versatile enough as he has played in both guard spots which highlights is intelligence as well. If you're talking putting the 5 best linemen on the team as a starter he's is one of them.
Performance: B
Potential: A-
Overall: B+
Daniel Brunskill - Former 2019 UDFA. Daniel Brunskill has a lot of starting experience under his belt. While the performance has varied. His best position to me is tackle, as he played very well but he's most likely going to end up starting again at right guard were he was competent if not spectacular. As long as he doesn't play center, it's fine if he starts at guard.
Performance: B-
Potential: C
Overall: C+
Jason Poe - 2022 UDFA. Jason Poe was one of guys who I thought was steal. Although already 24. He came into camp and into the preseason with a unique skillset. Albeit undersized he is a vicious run blocker and is a very good athlete, pulling with speed and confidence. He'll need to adjust his pass blocking as his shorter arms might make him a liability in pass sets. But even if he doesn't make the starting 5, I would take him over Aaron Banks as of now as a developmental prospect. Also with his athleticism, he's an intriguing prospect as a center too. 4'89 40 time and 34 reps on the bench. Impressive. If he went to a bigger school he's easily a 4th round pick
.
Performane: B-
Potential: C
Overall C+
Aaron Banks - 2021 2nd round pick. Aaron Banks in year two looks much more svelte than his rookie year but it hasn't translated to the field this preseason as he was just there in the 1st 2 games. granted linemen take time to develop but 2nd rounders should be farther ahead. Right now I see him as a backup until proven otherwise.
Performance: C
Potential: B-
Overall: C+
Nick Zakelj - 2022 6th rounder. Zakelj is a giant nerd (Masters Degree in Business Analytics). A smart football player on the field too. He has a lot of experience as a 4 year starter at left tackle and while it is a smaller school. Zakelj is likely to be looked at as a future swing tackle. He just needs to strengthen his legs as he is top heavy and as a result his pass blocking is uneven at best.
Performance: C
Potenial: C
Overall C
Jordan Mills - NFL Veteran. He had a pretty promising start to his career but injuries had kept him out of too many games. I expect him to be cut, though he could end up as a practice squad reserve.
Performance: D
Potential: D
Overall D
Keaton Sutherland - He's just a camp body with some developmental upside.
Performance: F
Potential: D
Overall: F
Centers
Jake Brendel - NFL veteran center. He has been a reserve with the 49ers the past 2 seasons. Apparently the team likes him enough because he will likely be the starter coming week 1. He's a competent veteran but I think we can upgrade at the postion.
Performance: C
Potential: C
Overall: C
Dohnovan West - 2022 UDFA. This was another steal this draft. There are scouts that 4-5 rounds on grades on him. He's a capable run blocker that can move in space and is a skilled athlete. I think he needs to bulk up some and improve his strength but nothing an NFL conditioning and training can't fix.
Performance: C-
Potential: B-
Overall: C
Unit Analysis
We have a lot of young talent added to this team especially this past draft. But we need at least a veteran center with more starting experience. We should be signing JC Tretter but Kyle and co must be ok with the growing pains on the right side of the line and throwing them into the fire, especially with a tender Mike McGlinchey. This will be a solid unit but it's going to be a rough first 4 or 5 games in my opinion.
Unit Grade: B-
Tackles
Trent Williams - After being acquired in 2020 for the cheap price of a 3rd and 5th rounder. We managed to land the best tackle in the NFL. Trent Williams blocks with great aggressiveness in the run game, occasionally flattening opposing defensive lineman. He is also an excellent pass blocker. Although 33 years old he should be able to play another 3 or 4 years at a very high level, and he better as he's being paid handsomely for his skills. On top of his physical abilities he has already been a positive mentor to all the younger players and I think he along with the coaching help elevate players like Colton McKivitz and the rookies of this previous draft. My only thing is, as he gets older he may miss a few games here and there due to injury but this is the case with most 30 year old linemen.
Performance: A+
Potential: B+
Overall: A+
Mike McGlinchey - 2018 9th overall pick in the draft. McGlinchey had a pretty strong rookie year but has since been up and down. In part due to his performance on the field and in part due to injuries he has suffered the past couple of seasons. McGlinchey is one of the better run blockers in the league, he can block straight up and he's athletic enough to block well in space. The problem his is a so-so pass blocker even amongst other right tackles and he has whiffed a few pass blocking assignments especially against speed rushers on a few occasions with that said, bad right guard play makes the tackle's job harder and if that improves this season, he should be better. This is also a contract year for him though to be honest, I do not expect him to leave. We will most likely extend him to a team friendly deal that keeps him on the team until he's 31 or 32.
Performance: B
Potential: B
Overall B
Colton McKivitz - 2020 5th round draft pick. I am on record not loving this pick, as I thought there were higher ceiling players still available in that draft. I was wrong. Spending the last 2 years in the weight room, his strength has increased considerably and when asked to come in, he has played well at guard and even better at tackle. McKivitz comes from a basketball background and it shows, he has good swing in his hips and is a capable enough pass and run blocker. He is the go to swing tackle unless proven otherwise.
Performance: B-
Potential: B-
Overall: B-
Nick Zakelj - Rookie 6th round draft pick from Fordham. Nick Zakelj is a big man, at 6'6 and 315 lbs. He is an intriguing prospect. He was a left tackle at Fordham but he will likely be trained to be a guard and tackle. He is a very good run blocker, he blocks through the whistle, drives his feet, all the good stuff. But his pass blocking technique is rough. He tends to shift his weight and one direction or another and he left his feet more than a few times. Despite this he can build himself up to be a solid backup in a year or two.
Performance: C+
Potential: C
Overall: C
Justin Skule - Justin Skule was drafted in the 6th round in the 2019 draft. Skule was drafted to be a swing tackle. He has quite a bit of starting experience and in 2019 and 2020 performing competently in the few games he did start. He tore his ACL last year and has spent the last year recovering. He played in the preseason and has not looked all that good in the preseason. It may be due him still recovering from his ACL injury but he might be a bubble player this year and may end up cut as the 49er added a lot of offensive linemen this previous offseason through the draft and UDFA.
Performance: C-
Potential: C-
Overall C-
Jaylon Moore - 2021 6th round pick. Jaylon Moore. Due to injuries at offensive Jaylon Moore has 3 starts and he played some snaps in preseason, where he looked like a backup. He is a slightly better run blocker than pass blocker but he wasn't great at either. I think he still needs another year of development. He'll make the final roster but he'll be looked as an emergency swing tackle and special teams player.
Performance: C-
Potential: C-
Overall: C-
Alfredo Gutierres - NFL exhange student from Mexico. I think he is just a curio. He's 6'9 and 335 and he made his NFL debut last week where he did participate in a run play that resulted in a first down. But I think he is just a practice squad player. But that size is intriguing and offensive line is a position where you can have a career in your late 20s. We'll see.
Performance: D
Potential: F
Overall: D-
Guards
Spencer Buford - 2022 NFL Rookie drafted in the 4th round. Spencer Buford has had an incredibly impressive camp. He has played like a 5 year veteran for the most part and has earned the starting position as a rookie, in my guess as a left guard. He came in a punishing run blocker but he was better than expected as a pass protector. He might be a the steal of his draft. He played a lot of tackle in high school and college but he is versatile enough as he has played in both guard spots which highlights is intelligence as well. If you're talking putting the 5 best linemen on the team as a starter he's is one of them.
Performance: B
Potential: A-
Overall: B+
Daniel Brunskill - Former 2019 UDFA. Daniel Brunskill has a lot of starting experience under his belt. While the performance has varied. His best position to me is tackle, as he played very well but he's most likely going to end up starting again at right guard were he was competent if not spectacular. As long as he doesn't play center, it's fine if he starts at guard.
Performance: B-
Potential: C
Overall: C+
Jason Poe - 2022 UDFA. Jason Poe was one of guys who I thought was steal. Although already 24. He came into camp and into the preseason with a unique skillset. Albeit undersized he is a vicious run blocker and is a very good athlete, pulling with speed and confidence. He'll need to adjust his pass blocking as his shorter arms might make him a liability in pass sets. But even if he doesn't make the starting 5, I would take him over Aaron Banks as of now as a developmental prospect. Also with his athleticism, he's an intriguing prospect as a center too. 4'89 40 time and 34 reps on the bench. Impressive. If he went to a bigger school he's easily a 4th round pick
.
Performane: B-
Potential: C
Overall C+
Aaron Banks - 2021 2nd round pick. Aaron Banks in year two looks much more svelte than his rookie year but it hasn't translated to the field this preseason as he was just there in the 1st 2 games. granted linemen take time to develop but 2nd rounders should be farther ahead. Right now I see him as a backup until proven otherwise.
Performance: C
Potential: B-
Overall: C+
Nick Zakelj - 2022 6th rounder. Zakelj is a giant nerd (Masters Degree in Business Analytics). A smart football player on the field too. He has a lot of experience as a 4 year starter at left tackle and while it is a smaller school. Zakelj is likely to be looked at as a future swing tackle. He just needs to strengthen his legs as he is top heavy and as a result his pass blocking is uneven at best.
Performance: C
Potenial: C
Overall C
Jordan Mills - NFL Veteran. He had a pretty promising start to his career but injuries had kept him out of too many games. I expect him to be cut, though he could end up as a practice squad reserve.
Performance: D
Potential: D
Overall D
Keaton Sutherland - He's just a camp body with some developmental upside.
Performance: F
Potential: D
Overall: F
Centers
Jake Brendel - NFL veteran center. He has been a reserve with the 49ers the past 2 seasons. Apparently the team likes him enough because he will likely be the starter coming week 1. He's a competent veteran but I think we can upgrade at the postion.
Performance: C
Potential: C
Overall: C
Dohnovan West - 2022 UDFA. This was another steal this draft. There are scouts that 4-5 rounds on grades on him. He's a capable run blocker that can move in space and is a skilled athlete. I think he needs to bulk up some and improve his strength but nothing an NFL conditioning and training can't fix.
Performance: C-
Potential: B-
Overall: C
Unit Analysis
We have a lot of young talent added to this team especially this past draft. But we need at least a veteran center with more starting experience. We should be signing JC Tretter but Kyle and co must be ok with the growing pains on the right side of the line and throwing them into the fire, especially with a tender Mike McGlinchey. This will be a solid unit but it's going to be a rough first 4 or 5 games in my opinion.
Unit Grade: B-
i kno dam well we aint about to risk Poe to the practice team in the next set of cuts
shiit give them 'deavors to trey sermon 
.
