San Francisco 49ers: Predicting Post-OTA Starting Lineups

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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 /

Offensive Line

Joe Staley will be the starting left tackle. Daniel Kilgore will be the starting center. That’s about as far as certainty goes on the 49ers’ offensive line.

At right tackle, Erik Pears has been getting nearly all of the starting snaps. I still don’t have him as the favorite to start once the regular seasons comes around, however. So far during OTAs, Kelly has favored veterans over young players at every position—no rookie has even cracked the second lineup, and second-year players seem to be lower than expected on the depth chart, as well. I think that’s mostly why Trent Brown has been working with the second-team unit; Pears is a veteran and gets the benefit of the doubt in OTAs. There have been some concerns about Brown’s stamina in Kelly’s system, but I still think he gets the nod once all is said and done.

For most of OTAs, the starting guards were Zane Beadles and Brandon Thomas, but there’s a good chance that neither will start once the regular season comes around. Joshua Garnett wasn’t allowed to practice with the team, as he was still finishing up classes in college. He probably won’t be slid into the starting lineup the day he arrives in Santa Clara, but he’ll be there before the end of the preseason; you don’t trade up into the first round for a guard to let him sit on the bench.

At the other guard position, I still like Andrew Tiller to win the job when all is said and done. He got starting work there on the last day of OTAs with Thomas sitting out. It’s unknown why Thomas was held out; it could be due to an injury or fatigue, or they could just be experimenting with Tiller in the position. His performance last season makes me think he’ll trump both Beadles and Thomas, but we’ll have to see what happens when the 49ers get all their guards in one place before the competition really takes off.

Next: Defensive Line