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 /
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Oct 5, 2014; Santa Clara, CA, USA; San Francisco 49ers tackle Joe Staley (74) heads towards the locker room before the game against the Kansas City Chiefs at Levi's Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 5, 2014; Santa Clara, CA, USA; San Francisco 49ers tackle Joe Staley (74) heads towards the locker room before the game against the Kansas City Chiefs at Levi’s Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports /

Left Tackle

Starter: Joe Staley

Backup: Erik Pears

If there’s one area with zero concern along the offensive line, barring injury, it’s left tackle.

Veteran Pro Bowler Joe Staley holds this spot down and without question. Staley is the best 49ers offensive lineman. True, Staley’s age (31 years old) is beginning to be a bit of a worry, but it’s hard to see his production slack off anytime soon.

The real question mark here is the backup job.

Fellow veteran lineman Erik Pears probably ends up starting along the O-line — we’ll get to that shortly — but he should be penciled in as the primary swing tackle to move to the left side if the need ever arises.

Given the importance of protecting the quarterback’s blind side, it’s highly doubtful the Niners would want to start a rookie like John Theus or Fahn Cooper in this role. So, if Staley were to suffer some sort of injury, Pears would be flipped to the left side and fellow tackle Trent Brown probably gets the call at the right tackle spot.

Next: Left Guard