Niner Noise
FanSided

Predicting 49ers 2016 Depth Chart Before Training Camp

By Peter Panacy

Nov 8, 2015; Santa Clara, CA, USA; San Francisco 49ers quarterback Blaine Gabbert (2) and quarterback Colin Kaepernick (7) warm up before the game against the Atlanta Falcons at Levi's Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 8, 2015; Santa Clara, CA, USA; San Francisco 49ers quarterback Blaine Gabbert (2) and quarterback Colin Kaepernick (7) warm up before the game against the Atlanta Falcons at Levi's Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
14 of 23
Next
Dec 15, 2013; Tampa, FL, USA; San Francisco 49ers guard Daniel Kilgore (67) prior to the game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Raymond James Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 15, 2013; Tampa, FL, USA; San Francisco 49ers guard Daniel Kilgore (67) prior to the game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Raymond James Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports /

Center

Starter: Daniel Kilgore

Backup: Marcus Martin

The 49ers better hope center Daniel Kilgore stays healthy for all of 2016.

Third-year pro Marcus Martin was a disaster for the 49ers offensive line over the course of Kilgore’s 2014-15 knee injury and recovery period. Martin will stay on the roster, as a depth option at best, and could see his production improve — he’s only 22 years old — but Kilgore is, without doubt, the best option here.

Here’s the simple Pro Football Focus comparison:

  • Daniel Kilgore — minus-9.5 overall
  • Marcus Martin — minus-45.6 overall

Martin’s PFF grade was the worst among all 49ers a season ago. So it’s no wonder the Niners couldn’t get Kilgore back on the field soon enough in 2015.

Considering all the problems San Francisco had along its O-line last year, anchoring the center will go a long way in ensuring those issues aren’t replicated this season.

But it’s not the only concern within this critical unit.

Next: Left Tackle