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San Francisco 49ers: Projecting 53-Man Roster in 2016

By Peter Panacy

August 23, 2015; Santa Clara, CA, USA; San Francisco 49ers defensive end Arik Armstead (69, left) and outside linebacker Eli Harold (58) celebrate during the second quarter against the Dallas Cowboys at Levi's Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports
August 23, 2015; Santa Clara, CA, USA; San Francisco 49ers defensive end Arik Armstead (69, left) and outside linebacker Eli Harold (58) celebrate during the second quarter against the Dallas Cowboys at Levi's Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports /
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Aug 15, 2015; Houston, TX, USA; San Francisco 49ers offensive lineman Trent Brown (77) defends against Houston Texans defensive lineman Glenn Dorsey (91) in a preseason NFL football game at NRG Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
Aug 15, 2015; Houston, TX, USA; San Francisco 49ers offensive lineman Trent Brown (77) defends against Houston Texans defensive lineman Glenn Dorsey (91) in a preseason NFL football game at NRG Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports /

Offensive Line

Tackles: Joe Staley, Trent Brown, Erik Pears, Fahn Cooper

Guards: Joshua Garnett, Zane Beadles, Andrew Tiller

Center: Daniel Kilgore, Marcus Martin

The 49ers made some noteworthy additions to the offensive line during the offseason, and that’s a very good thing.

Added to the fray, which was one of San Francisco’s worst units last year, is veteran guard Zane Beadles and rookies Joshua Garnett, Fahn Cooper and John Theus. Cooper might edge out Theus for a spot on the 53-man roster, but Theus would be a candidate for the practice squad.

Second-year pro Trent Brown will be pushed by Cooper, Theus and veteran Erik Pears to earn the starting job. But a strong effort at the tail end of 2015 gives Brown the nod here.

One may wonder why Pears remains on the roster after he posted a minus-30.7 overall PFF grade last year. But Pears has veteran prowess and is versatile enough to play either tackle or guard positions. The 49ers will keep him around for that alone.

There are no worries about Pro Bowl left tackle Joe Staley. And there shouldn’t be any regarding center Daniel Kilgore.

Garnett may have some questions about his pass protection and fit within a zone-style offense. But the 49ers will likely want to get Garnett’s run-mauling ways into the equation as soon as possible, so he’ll wind up starting in 2016.

If this doesn’t work, fellow guard Andrew Tiller is a good backup option.

Next: Tight End