Predicting What the San Francisco 49ers Starting Lineup Looks Like in 2018
By Peter Panacy
Offensive Line
Center: NFL Draft pick
Guards: Joshua Garnett, free agent
Tackles: Joe Staley, NFL Draft pick
On the surface, the 49ers offensive line played notably better in 2016 than the year before. But Football Outsiders still ranked this unit 30th in pass protection and dead last in run blocking.
It’s a unit in transition, and those changes likely take us through 2018.
Center Daniel Kilgore is a free agent after 2017. While serviceable, Kilgore’s injury history could warrant an upgrade, perhaps via the NFL Draft. Look for that to happen.
More from SF 49ers News
- DraftKings NFL Draft Promo – Win $150 Guaranteed on Any $5 Bet
- Updated 49ers salary cap space ahead of 2023 NFL Draft
- Deebo Samuel fully admits his hatred of LA Rams
- Brock Purdy jokingly says he’s learning to throw left-handed
- 49ers news: Trey Lance is in the dark regarding trade talk
At guard, the 49ers won’t be ready to give up on former first-round pick Joshua Garnett. Not yet at least, even if his rookie campaign in 2016 was anything but stellar — a 42.4 overall grade, per Pro Football Focus.
Yet fellow guard Zane Beadles should be pushed out of the picture sooner rather than later. Beadles is signed through 2018, but it wouldn’t be a shock to see San Francisco release him after this upcoming season, saving $3.5 million in cap space for the following year.
Key questions remain at tackle. Veteran left tackle Joe Staley could finish out his career in Santa Clara, which might happen in 2019. A long-term replacement is certainly desirable, but a hunch would be the Niners finding someone to anchor the right side first.
This would mean pushing right tackle Trent Brown out of the picture. Why? Well, Brown isn’t exactly a fit in a zone-blocking scheme anyway. And that’s what head coach Kyle Shanahan runs. Unless Brown shows some notable improvement in pass protection, he’ll likely be slated for backup duties.