9ers: Who is San Francisco offensive lineman Garry Gilliam?

Niner Noise’s annual “Who Is?” series on San Francisco 49ers in 2017 moves along. In this installment, we look at recently acquired offensive lineman Garry Gilliam.

The San Francisco 49ers pried away offensive lineman Garry Gilliam from the division rival Seattle Seahawks on April 17.

Gilliam, a restricted free agent, didn’t see his offer matched by Seattle. And the Niners were able to add some further competition along their offensive line this offseason.

The 6-foot-6, 303-pound Gilliam originally signed as an undrafted free agent with the Seahawks back in 2014. The former Penn State product was primarily seen as a tackle and ended up starting 30 games during his Seattle tenure.

San Francisco 49ers /

San Francisco 49ers

Unfortunately, Gilliam has the reputation of belonging to one of the most porous offensive lines in the NFL last season. The Seahawks O-line suffered more than a handful of issues, and Gilliam wasn’t exactly a solution.

According to Pro Football Focus, the 26 year old posted a lowly 38.0 overall grade last year — No. 71 out of 78 qualifiers.

So why would San Francisco bring him in this offseason?

We’ll try to answer that and project what Gilliam’s strengths and weaknesses are heading into 2017.

Why He’ll Improve

One of the reasons the 49ers brought Gilliam aboard was his ability to move in space. He’s surprisingly nimble for a player of his size, and a respectable 5.03 40-yard time at his pro day is evidence of this.

Last year, Gilliam was asked to play left tackle — often reserved for the team’s best O-lineman and matching up against the more elite pass-rushers.

With left tackle Joe Staley all but assured this spot, Gilliam is more likely destined for the right side and a competition with incumbent right tackle Trent Brown.

Brown isn’t exactly a fit in a zone-blocking scheme, which the Niners will run. But Gilliam is. It’s what the Seahawks have run up to this point, so there shouldn’t be too much of an adjustment there.

Why He’ll Regress

In spite of the previous experience in zone schemes, Gilliam hasn’t exactly shown the ability to master either run blocking or pass protection.

He’s allowed 101 quarterback pressures since 2015, per PFF, which is the fourth most among offensive tackles with at least 400 pass-blocking snaps taken.

And these problems were on display during San Francisco’s first week of OTAs.

As the Santa Rosa Press Democrat’s Grant Cohn pointed out, Gilliam couldn’t hold his own against edge rushers Arik Armstead and Ronald Blair. Despite Gilliam’s seemingly better fit in the system, he’s yet to prove he’s a worthy piece.

It also isn’t as if Gilliam is notably better in run support. His 37.6 PFF run-blocking grade last year doesn’t inspire a lot of confidence.

What to Expect in 2017

At best, Gilliam winds up being the Niners swing tackle in 2017. He’s not an ideal option to start, regardless whether or not Brown is a good fit.

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There’s also another thought to why Gilliam was brought aboard. He knows Seattle’s pass rush and front-seven defense from having been there for three years and facing this group in practice. With defensive coordinator Robert Saleh implementing a Seahawks-like defense this season, Gilliam may be an educator of sorts.

Probably more of the scheme aspects rather than his play, of course.

At least the 49ers are putting Gilliam into a position to compete. This should push Brown harder than he was pushed last season, and that may wind up being a benefit for San Francisco’s O-line.

Next: 5 bold predictions for the 49ers 53-man roster

Even if Gilliam doesn’t make the roster, which may be tough to do.

San Francisco 49ers: Who is offensive lineman Garry Gilliam?

By Peter Panacy | May 28, 2017