Niner Noise
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San Francisco 49ers: Full 2016 Report-Card Grades for Every Position

By Peter Panacy

Jan 1, 2017; Santa Clara, CA, USA; San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick (7) prepares to pass the football against the Seattle Seahawks during the first quarter at Levis Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Neville E. Guard-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 1, 2017; Santa Clara, CA, USA; San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick (7) prepares to pass the football against the Seattle Seahawks during the first quarter at Levis Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Neville E. Guard-USA TODAY Sports /
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Oct 2, 2016; Santa Clara, CA, USA; San Francisco 49ers tackle Joe Staley (74) warms up with guard Joshua Garnett (65) prior to the game against the Dallas Cowboys.
Oct 2, 2016; Santa Clara, CA, USA; San Francisco 49ers tackle Joe Staley (74) warms up with guard Joshua Garnett (65) prior to the game against the Dallas Cowboys. /

D+. . Offensive Line. San Francisco 49ers.

OK, so the 49ers offensive line is nowhere near as bad as it was a year ago. And fans no longer have to think about no-more Niners like Erik Pears or Jordan Devey.

2016 showed marked improvement from San Francisco’s O-line. But it isn’t as if this group was wholly much better than a year ago.

According to Football Outsiders, the Niners O-line ranked dead last in run support and only a lowly 30th in pass protection. The 47 sacks allowed ranked No. 3 in the NFL. While many of these can be attributed to quarterback play, it’s pretty clear the 49ers O-line isn’t up to par.

At least this group can brag somewhat about supporting the league’s No. 4-ranked rushing offense.

December 11, 2016; Santa Clara, CA, USA; San Francisco 49ers offensive tackle Trent Brown (77) during the first quarter against the New York Jets at Levi’s Stadium. The Jets defeated the 49ers 23-17 in overtime. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports
December 11, 2016; Santa Clara, CA, USA; San Francisco 49ers offensive tackle Trent Brown (77) during the first quarter against the New York Jets at Levi’s Stadium. The Jets defeated the 49ers 23-17 in overtime. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports /

Biggest Standout: RT Trent Brown

Second-year tackle Trent Brown is still awfully raw and not the greatest in run support. But watching the film, it’s pretty clear the 49ers have a nice piece around which to restructure the O-line in coming seasons.

And with veteran left tackle Joe Staley getting up there in years, Brown could be a candidate to switch over to the left side at some point down the line.

Biggest Bust: RG Joshua Garnett

Rookie guard, and first-round pick, Joshua Garnett’s rookie season should easily be classified as a disappointment.

He wasn’t even active to start the season but did manage to assume a starting job at right guard early on. But his 42.4 overall grade, per Pro Football Focus, is enough to suggest the Niners can’t feel entirely good about such a high investment.

At least not yet.

Keep an eye on how much Garnett develops in year two.