San Francisco 49ers: Ranking Each Position by Strength Entering 2016

4 of 8

Oct 19, 2014; Denver, CO, USA; San Francisco 49ers center Daniel Kilgore (67) prepares to hike the ball in the first quarter against the Denver Broncos at Sports Authority Field at Mile High. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports /

Offensive Line

This is a group in a state of flux. Going into the 2016 season, there will likely be three new faces on the line as starters – former Jacksonville Jaguars guard Zane Beadles, first-round draft pick Joshua Garnett at right guard and second-year right tackle Trenton Brown.

We know how good left tackle Joe Staley and center Daniel Kilgore are. But it will be the rest of these starters, plus the play of the reserves which will ultimately determine the true strength of this unit.

Run blocking was this team’s bread and butter in previous years. In 2014, the team averaged 136.0 yards per game on the ground (fourth in the league). In 2015, this fell away to just 96.5 yards per game (21st in the league).

October 5, 2014; Santa Clara, CA, USA; San Francisco 49ers tackle Joe Staley (74) blocks Kansas City Chiefs outside linebacker Tamba Hali (91) during the first quarter at Levi’s Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports /

Going into this year, the run blocking should be better. Per Pro Football Focus (subscription required) former guard Alex Boone had a grading of plus-44.9 (from a zero to 100 scale) for run blocking. In contrast, Beadles was slightly better on the same scale at plus-49.6.

Beadles had his best year run blocking in 2012, when he played in a Denver Broncos offense which ran something called an inside-zone blocking scheme. Hmm, sounds familiar. It just might be what the 49ers are running this year!

Former right guard Jordan Devey carried a weak plus-39.4 grading for run blocking per PFF. Potential new right guard Garnett won the Outland Trophy at Stanford for the nation’s best interior lineman. His specialty? Run blocking. Garnett should easily surpass what Devey did not do last season. Heck, he could have an arm tied behind his back and still block better than Devey.

Because this is a projected starting lineup with more questions in regards to who will be starting, this group is still weak at this time. But they have the potential to be very good. The key will be to successfully run head coach Chip Kelly’s scheme at the proper speed and to execute plays.

Next: Secondary