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San Francisco 49ers: Projecting 2017 Starting Lineup after First Wave of NFL Free Agency

By Peter Panacy

Aug 20, 2016; Denver, CO, USA; A general view of the San Francisco 49ers helmet before game against the Denver Broncos at Sports Authority Field at Mile High. The 49ers beat the Broncos 31-24. Mandatory Credit: Troy Babbitt-USA TODAY Sports
Aug 20, 2016; Denver, CO, USA; A general view of the San Francisco 49ers helmet before game against the Denver Broncos at Sports Authority Field at Mile High. The 49ers beat the Broncos 31-24. Mandatory Credit: Troy Babbitt-USA TODAY Sports /
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Oct 2, 2016; Santa Clara, CA, USA; San Francisco 49ers tackle Joe Staley (74) warms up with his team prior to the game against the Dallas Cowboys at Levi’s Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kelvin Kuo-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 2, 2016; Santa Clara, CA, USA; San Francisco 49ers tackle Joe Staley (74) warms up with his team prior to the game against the Dallas Cowboys at Levi’s Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kelvin Kuo-USA TODAY Sports /

Offensive Line

Center: Daniel Kilgore

Guards: Zane Beadles, Joshua Garnett

Tackles: Joe Staley, Trent Brown

The 49ers will stay in a zone-blocking scheme in 2017. But under head coach Kyle Shanahan, the Niners will shift to an outside zone instead of the inside-zone scheme employed by former head coach Chip Kelly.

If you’re unfamiliar with how ZBS schemes and Shanahan’s running game works, check out what Niner Noise’s Rich Madrid wrote here.

Related Story: 49ers Film Room: Inside Kyle Shanahan's Running Game

Veteran left tackle Joe Staley isn’t going anywhere and remains San Francisco’s best offensive lineman. The same can’t be said of third-year pro Trent Brown though, who struggled in zone schemes a season ago.

Sure, Brown’s pass protection has been better than expected. But his abilities in run support — a 39.0 run-blocking grade, per Pro Football Focus, in 2017 — leave a lot to be desired.

At guard, Zane Beadles’ versatility should keep him safely on the Niners roster. He’ll likely start, since the 49ers don’t have any better options. And San Francisco better hope second-year pro Joshua Garnett improves on what was an otherwise lackluster rookie season a year ago.

We should also hope center Daniel Kilgore stays healthy. It’s been a problem for the 29-year-old veteran.