San Francisco 49ers: Starting lineup predictions as training camp starts
By Peter Panacy
Offensive Line
Left Tackle: Joe Staley
Left Guard: Zane Beadles
Center: Jeremy Zuttah
Right Guard: Joshua Garnett
Right Tackle: Trent Brown
The 49ers only have one true shoo-in along their offensive line, left tackle Joe Staley. As for the rest? Well, it’s very much up in the air.
San Francisco’s guard spots figure to be interesting. It’s likely second-year pro Joshua Garnett secures one of the two starting jobs here, although a hunch has him returning to the right side after an underwhelming rookie year.
This leaves the left guard spot open to competition between free-agent pickup Brandon Fusco and the incumbent, Zane Beadles.
Beadles was the subject of plenty of scrutiny last season, as his 39.5 overall Pro Football Focus grade suggests. But another hunch has this prediction suggesting he’ll bounce back in 2017 with a change in the coaching staff.
At center, the Niners are letting the competition fall between Jeremy Zuttah, Daniel Kilgore — last year’s starter — and Tim Barnes. Since this position is so important to head coach Kyle Shanahan, it’s likely the trade acquisition for Zuttah forces him into the starting role. Kilgore can double as a guard and be a noteworthy backup.
Trent Brown is the team’s starting right tackle. And even though he isn’t exactly an ideal fit in a zone-style scheme, he’s the best option San Francisco has right now.