Niner Noise
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San Francisco 49ers: Expectations for the 5 Best Players in 2016 Season

By Peter Panacy

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October 22, 2015; Santa Clara, CA, USA; San Francisco 49ers tackle Joe Staley (74) blocks Seattle Seahawks outside linebacker Bruce Irvin (51) during the second quarter at Levi's Stadium. The Seahawks defeated the 49ers 20-3. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports
October 22, 2015; Santa Clara, CA, USA; San Francisco 49ers tackle Joe Staley (74) blocks Seattle Seahawks outside linebacker Bruce Irvin (51) during the second quarter at Levi’s Stadium. The Seahawks defeated the 49ers 20-3. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports /

Offensive Tackle Joe Staley

2015 PFF Grades:

  • Overall: plus-21.5
  • Pass Blocking: plus-8.6
  • Run Blocking: plus-7.5
  • Penalty: plus-2.4

Veteran left tackle Joe Staley remains the 49ers’ best offensive lineman entering 2016. At 31 years old, Staley’s age may start to be a bit of a concern in coming seasons but, for now, signs still point to him being a stalwart on San Francisco’s offensive line.

After all, Staley’s efforts last season — a year which saw him rank as the only O-lineman on the team’s roster to grade out positively in each of the aforementioned PFF categories — earned him his fifth consecutive trip to the Pro Bowl.

The rest of the 49ers O-line has some question marks. After being relegated as one of the biggest weaknesses the Niners had last year, San Francisco elected to make some changes outside of Staley and center Daniel Kilgore. Free-agent guard Zane Beadles was added to the mix, and the 49ers added rookie linemen Joshua Garnett, Fahn Cooper and John Theus.

We’ll have to see how this group, along with likely starting right tackle Trent Brown, jells this offseason. Chemistry among O-lines is of the utmost importance.

Fortunately, Staley seemed to be one of the beneficiaries of a zone-blocking scheme last year, as his numbers suggest, and he’ll experience more of the same under head coach Chip Kelly in 2016.

Protecting the 49ers quarterback’s blind side — whoever the QB may be this season — is a top priority, and Staley remains the best option to fit the bill.

Next: DT Ian Williams