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Predicting What the San Francisco 49ers Starting Lineup Looks Like in 2018

By Peter Panacy

Dec 4, 2016; Chicago, IL, USA; San Francisco 49ers running back Carlos Hyde (28) carries the ball against the Chicago Bears during the first half at Soldier Field. Mandatory Credit: Mike DiNovo-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 4, 2016; Chicago, IL, USA; San Francisco 49ers running back Carlos Hyde (28) carries the ball against the Chicago Bears during the first half at Soldier Field. Mandatory Credit: Mike DiNovo-USA TODAY Sports /
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Aug 14, 2016; Santa Clara, CA, USA; San Francisco 49ers tackle Joe Staley (74) watches the game against the Houston Texans in the third quarter at Levi's Stadium. Houston defeated San Francisco 24-13. Mandatory Credit: John Hefti-USA TODAY Sports
Aug 14, 2016; Santa Clara, CA, USA; San Francisco 49ers tackle Joe Staley (74) watches the game against the Houston Texans in the third quarter at Levi’s Stadium. Houston defeated San Francisco 24-13. Mandatory Credit: John Hefti-USA TODAY Sports /

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.

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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.