Things that stood at during the early portion of OTA's and a way-too-early week 1 starting OL projection.
It's an exciting time of the offseason as fans get a taste of 49ers football again with OTA's starting in full swing.
After two days of organized team activities, we have been able to pull some preliminary information from OTA's. There are no pads, there aren't any video of 11 on 11 or 7 on 7 team period so we it is difficult to objectively evaluate the play on the field but we can discuss takeaways from the first few days of practices and what it could mean moving forward.
Starting Offensive Line From OTA's
With Laken Tomlinson no longer a Niner, Alex Mack yet to make a decision on his retirement, mixed with plenty of rookie OL added to the team, there has been no shortage of speculation regarding what the OL will look like in 2022.
Per
Jack Hammer of the Santa Rosa Press Democrat, the starting offensive line open to the media was a bit different than 49ers' fans have been used to in the past.
LT Colton McKivitz - Originally McKivitz didn't make the final 53 man roster in 2021 but Colton ultimately found his way into the starting lineup Week 18 in a must-win game against the Rams in order to make the playoffs. He played admirably and helped the 49ers advance playing at left tackle, which I would consider out of position. I see McKivitz primarily as IOL but the fact he held up at tackle boosted his stock in my eyes.
LG Aaron Banks
- The former 2nd round draft pick has been a player we don't know a ton about from an on-field standpoint. He was hurt in preseason last year and only saw him in mop up duty for a handful of snaps against the Jags. However, looking at Banks, he does seem to have trimmed down his body and looks noticeably stronger. By all accounts, he is the leader to takeover the starting LG position when the rest of the starters return to the lineup.
C Jake Brendel - Obviously this has been one of the most scrutinized offseason positions on the 49ers simply due to lack of clarity. Alex Mack is a top center and his impact goes beyond what most even can understand. Ideally, the 49ers would be rolling out Mack in the starting lineup in 2022 but that remains to be seen. Brendel won a camp battle last year against current Seahawk Dakoda Shepley to remain as the teams backup center/guard. He has a chance to hold this position if Mack does indeed retire.
RG Jaylon Moore - This has been a move plenty evaluators saw coming but I still have some questions. I have been open in discussing how I wouldn't prefer to move Moore inside to guard because I feel it takes away from his natural attributes as a pass blocker but the 49ers have shifted the former LT inside. Moore has an opportunity to be a key piece in this OL if he can grasp the switch to OG. Training camp will be a much better indicator of his progress.
RT Justin Skule - Although it is great to see Justin Skule back in the lineup after suffering an ACL injury in last seasons OTA's session, I am not sure that seeing him in the starting lineup would be something most fans would feel confident about heading into 2022. Skule has done an admirable job in spot duty before when he stepped up in 2019 and 2020. however it remains to be seen how his recovery process has gone but all signs are pointing in the right direction. It appears that the 49ers coaching staff still has confidence in the young swing tackle.
Projecting The Week 1 Starting Offensive Line
Even though we don't know if Alex Mack will return or not, we can still assess what the best possible starting OL groupings could be in 2022.
Below is how I see it with Mack in the lineup as well as what starting OL could look like if he were to retire:
Left Tackle:
There is zero questions of who will be the 49ers starting LT to start the season. cc:
Trent Williams
Left Guard:
Early reports out of OTA's suggest that the 49ers' OL Coach Chris Forester is "bullish" about
Aaron Banks starting in 2022. I could sense the fans feel the same way and I fully expect Banks to take over the spot left by Laken Tomlinson.
Center: Obviously if
Alex Mack returns, the job is his and the starting OL becomes much more clear. However, if he decides to hang it up, I am projecting the 49ers would kick
Daniel Brunskill
down to center over Jake Brendel (1st-string in OTA's) or Keaton Sutherland (2nd-string in OTA's).
The 49ers could opt to keep Brunskill at RG and have Brendel, Sutherland, and rookies West, Poe, Zackelj battle it out during camp but as we sit today, I'd feel more comfortable with Brunskill at center heading into his 3rd full year as a starter. I feel Kyle Shanhan's offense runs best with a veteran center but we could see that thought process tested this season. Personally, I'd prefer the competition on the OL spot comes at RG.
Right Guard:
It feels like there is plenty of opportunity that comes along with this position without Mack in the lineup. You could have a plethora of guys competing for one of these interior spots between newly converted OG Jaylon Moore, rookies Spencer Burford and Nick Zackelj, while not forgetting veteran
Colton McKivitz
who I view as a natural guard.
Colton McKivitz did a lot for my confidence stepping in week 18 to face stud pass-rushers in Rams Von Miller and Leonard Floyd. He did this as an interior offensive lineman throughout his career and really solidified his value to the team in my eyes. As a veteran, I think he would have first crack at this position but maybe Jaylon Moore or one of the rookies can push for this spot if Brunskill kicks down to Center.
Ultimately, I believe Brunskill will be a starting offensive lineman in 2022 regardless if it is at center or guard.
Right Tackle: By all reports, Mike McGlinchey is progressing very well in his rehab which is a good sign for the San Francisco 49ers. I would imagine it his job no matter what after the Niners picked up McGlinchey's 5th-year option.
The 49ers have drafted interchangeable OT/OG prospects with 3 out of the last 4 picks they have used on rookie offensive lineman in Jaylon Moore, Spencer Burford and Nick Zackelj. While Zackelj profiles more as a C/G, he can still play tackle if needed. Justin Skule is also a name to watch as he could be attempting to lock down the 49ers swing tackle position.
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The 49ers will likely carry 7 offensive lineman on the active roster, maybe bump that up to 8 if Mack retires. But as you can see, there will be healthy competition in training camp regardless of what Mack's future holds.
The offensive line developments will be something that I continue to monitor closely as we make our way through OTA's and into training camp.
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Tell us what you think the starting OL will look like for the 49ers!
