San Francisco 49ers: 5 Best Position Battles to Watch This Offseason
By Rob Lowder
Offensive Line
Roster: Joe Staley, Daniel Kilgore, Joshua Garnett, Zane Beadles, Erik Pears, Trenton Brown, Andrew Tiller, Brandon Thomas, Cooper Fahn, John Theus, Ian Silberman, Colin Kelly, Blake Muir, Alex Balducci
While most of the position battle may take place on the right side of the offensive line, there are enough new faces and general depth development that make this an entire group worth watching.
Due to continued schooling, late first-round selection Joshua Garnett cannot join the team until June. While it is safe to assume he will assume the vacancy at left guard, his role has not yet been clarified.
One of the 49ers few 2016 free agent signings was former Jacksonville Jaguars guard Zane Beadles whom saw his best success in the zone blocking scheme most commonly employed by Chip Kelly. While he played left guard in JAX, he may be shifted to RG to fill that spot.
Erik Pears, current starting right tackle, has been less than inspiring, to put it mildly. Where Pears has struggled, former seventh-round pick, Trenton Brown, has shown promise despite conditioning concerns.
When you add 2016 fifth-round picks John Theus and Fahn Cooper into the mix, you have a very open battle at the RT position.
Marcus Martin and Brandon Thomas, a pair of former third-round selections, will also look to show their continued worth at the guard position on either side. Martin also has the capability to play center, where Daniel Kilgore has the starting role all but guaranteed.
Versatility will be key in claiming the two to four roster spots outside of the starting lineup.
Next: Battle No. 2