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5 49ers Who Stand to Benefit the Most from the New Offensive Scheme

By Rich Madrid

Jun 8, 2016; Santa Clara, CA, USA; San Francisco 49ers head coach Chip Kelly smiles during minicamp at the San Francisco 49ers Practice Facility. Mandatory Credit: Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports
Jun 8, 2016; Santa Clara, CA, USA; San Francisco 49ers head coach Chip Kelly smiles during minicamp at the San Francisco 49ers Practice Facility. Mandatory Credit: Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports /
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LG ZANE BEADLES

Sep 28, 2014; San Diego, CA, USA; Jacksonville Jaguars guard Zane Beadles (68) on the sideline during the third quarter against the San Diego Chargers at Qualcomm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jake Roth-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 28, 2014; San Diego, CA, USA; Jacksonville Jaguars guard Zane Beadles (68) on the sideline during the third quarter against the San Diego Chargers at Qualcomm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jake Roth-USA TODAY Sports /

The 49ers made little waves this offseason at the start of the free agency, and fans were a little disturbed by the lack of a splash signing. Instead, the 49ers agreed to terms with former Jacksonville Jaguars left guard Zane Beadles.

It’s worth noting that the splash signings rarely, if ever, pan out the way fans want (see: Torrey Smith 2015).

But there were no shortage of negative opinions about the Beadles signing. 49ers reporter from Pro Football Focus, Jeff Deeney, shared some thoughts about the signing:

Beadles worst year was 2015 when Jacksonville made the running game switch from a zone-based blocking system to a gap-based blocking system. While his struggles in 2015 appeared to be scheme-based, it’s also worth noting that he was hampered by a sprained plantar fasciitis injury that he struggled to play through.

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(GIF: NFL GamePass, Beadles #68 left guard)

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(GIF: NFL GamePass, Beadles #68 block on NYG #93)

In the zone scheme, Beadles moves well and gets to his assignment as quick as you would expect a zone lineman to. In the film I watched on him, I see a lineman who knows his assignments and executes them about as well as any. He won’t maul defenders on a regular basis but he will provide consistency with his blocking that was lacking on the offensive line last season.

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Physically, Beadles fits the mold of a Chip Kelly offensive lineman. The lineman who were on the Eagles’ rosters during each of his three seasons in Philadelphia, per Ourlads.com’s archived depth charts, averaged about 306 pounds. Kelly’s zone-based scheme, combined with the up-tempo pace, puts a premium on athleticism for offensive lineman. Beadles took the majority of first team reps in OTAs and minicamp and, for now, it appears he will lock up that left guard spot on opening day.

Next: 49ers' Safety Jaquiski Tartt's Role in the Defense

All statistics, records and accolades courtesy of Pro Football Reference unless otherwise indicated.