Niner Noise
FanSided

5 problems the San Francisco 49ers will face in 2017

By Peter Panacy

SANTA CLARA, CA - OCTOBER 02: Anthony Hitchens #59 of the Dallas Cowboys sacks quarterback Blaine Gabbert #2 of the San Francisco 49ers during the fourth quarter at Levi's Stadium on October 2, 2016 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)
SANTA CLARA, CA - OCTOBER 02: Anthony Hitchens #59 of the Dallas Cowboys sacks quarterback Blaine Gabbert #2 of the San Francisco 49ers during the fourth quarter at Levi's Stadium on October 2, 2016 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images) /
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CINCINNATI, OH – SEPTEMBER 25: Joe Staley #74 of the San Francisco 49ers blocks against the Cincinnati Bengals at Paul Brown Stadium on September 25, 2011 in Cincinnati, Ohio. (Photo by Jamie Sabau/Getty Images)
CINCINNATI, OH – SEPTEMBER 25: Joe Staley #74 of the San Francisco 49ers blocks against the Cincinnati Bengals at Paul Brown Stadium on September 25, 2011 in Cincinnati, Ohio. (Photo by Jamie Sabau/Getty Images) /

No. 1: Offensive Line Woes

Perhaps no other concern looms as large for the 49ers as their offensive line.

Sure, there are some new faces this training camp — Jeremy Zuttah, Tim Barnes, Brandon Fusco and Garry Gilliam, among others. Yet there aren’t exactly significant enough changes to suggest this group should improve upon some woeful numbers from a year ago.

The only safe bet along the line right now is left tackle Joe Staley. Zuttah could be a slight improvement, but that’s about it.

And then there’s the injury to offensive guard Joshua Garnett (knee), which could keep him out for a month or longer.

This likely pushes veteran lineman Zane Beadles into a starting position, which isn’t great, considering Beadles posted a lowly 39.5 overall grade last year, per Pro Football Focus.

There’s a chance the Niners O-line turns a page this season and jells enough to not be at the bottom of NFL rankings this year.

But the safer bet is this is a bad unit needing some additional help when the 2018 offseason rolls around.

Next: 49ers training camp stock watch after Week 2

Hopefully, though, these issues are minimized this season and, at best, play a role in determining the next courses of action general manager John Lynch and Co. have to take in this long-term rebuild.