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San Francisco 49ers: Best 2017 position battles to watch in training camp

By Peter Panacy

Sep 20, 2015; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; San Francisco 49ers running back Carlos Hyde (28) carries the ball against the Pittsburgh Steelers during the first half at Heinz Field. Mandatory Credit: Jason Bridge-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 20, 2015; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; San Francisco 49ers running back Carlos Hyde (28) carries the ball against the Pittsburgh Steelers during the first half at Heinz Field. Mandatory Credit: Jason Bridge-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

Players on Roster: Tim Barnes, Zane Beadles, Trent Brown, Brandon Fusco, Joshua Garnett, Garry Gilliam, Daniel Kilgore, Norman Price, Joe Staley, John Theus, Jeremy Zuttah

San Francisco’s 2016 offensive line, despite improvements from the previous season, wasn’t good.

Football Outsiders ranked its pass protection 30th in the league and run blocking dead last. And only one lineman, left tackle Joe Staley, posted a Pro Football Focus grade above 80.

So it makes sense, especially with a weak NFL Draft along the O-line, the Niners made some offseason additions. The 49ers traded for Pro Bowl center Jeremy Zuttah. Linemen Garry Gilliam, Tim Barnes and Brandon Fusco were picked up in free agency.

As of now, Staley is likely the only lock to start. Zuttah and fellow center Daniel Kilgore will battle it out for the starting job, and the edge goes to Zuttah here.

But Kilgore could bump out to guard, putting either Zane Beadles or Joshua Garnett’s job in danger. And adding both Barnes and Fusco to the mix only makes this competition more heated.

And right tackle Trent Brown? Well, there aren’t too many other ideal options here. So he’s likely safe but not exactly the ideal fit.

Starters and depth here will be interesting to watch.