San Francisco 49ers: 5 Things To Look For in Training Camp

How Does the Offensive Line Shape Up?

This unit severely disappointed in 2015 and needs a huge turnaround in 2016 to help guide the offense on where it wants to go.

The big names are left tackle Joe Staley and center Daniel Kilgore. After that, the picture is a little murkier, though logic suggests Zane Beadles will continue his career at the left guard spot and first-round draft pick Joshua Garnett will play right guard.

The most open position is right tackle. 2015 starter Erik Pears was a unmitigated disaster until his benching, and Trent Brown showed some good things. But recently he showed up at the beginning of the offseason program out of shape and struggling to learn the offensive schemes.

Now he has had a couple of months to get his conditioning in order, perhaps he gets first-team reps in camp.

The rest of the line depth is young. Ian Silberman, Brandon Thomas and Marcus Martin have playing experience, and then you have rookies in Fahn Cooper and John Theus. None of this former three have shown much on a NFL field.

Anthony Davis remains retired and, based on some of his tweets, it’s better off he stays retired.

The 49ers O-line was successful from 2011-13 when it boasted cohesion and a group who worked together well. This has not been the case over the last two seasons. It is important the right tackle position is finalized in camp with a player who will be able to block for both the run and the pass, and doesn’t give up sacks like a revolving door.

If injuries do appear again, the backups need to show understanding of the offense and more importantly, execute it successfully. For this to happen, we need to see measurable improvement from the veterans.

The quarterback play and the running game will be counting on it.

Next: How does the secondary shake out?