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49ers vs. Chiefs: Top 5 things to watch for in preseason, Week 1

By Peter Panacy

KANSAS CITY, MO - AUGUST 16: Wide receiver Dexter McCluster #22 of the Kansas City Chiefs picks up a first down between defenders Craig Dahl #43 and Perrish Cox #20 of the San Francisco 49ers during the first half on August 16, 2013 at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City, Missouri. (Photo by Peter Aiken/Getty Images)
KANSAS CITY, MO - AUGUST 16: Wide receiver Dexter McCluster #22 of the Kansas City Chiefs picks up a first down between defenders Craig Dahl #43 and Perrish Cox #20 of the San Francisco 49ers during the first half on August 16, 2013 at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City, Missouri. (Photo by Peter Aiken/Getty Images) /
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MIAMI GARDENS, FL – NOVEMBER 27: Trent Brown #77 of the San Francisco 49ers blocks Cameron Wake #91 of the Miami Dolphins during the 1st quarter of the game at Hard Rock Stadium on November 27, 2016 in Miami Gardens, Florida. (Photo by Eric Espada/Getty Images)
MIAMI GARDENS, FL – NOVEMBER 27: Trent Brown #77 of the San Francisco 49ers blocks Cameron Wake #91 of the Miami Dolphins during the 1st quarter of the game at Hard Rock Stadium on November 27, 2016 in Miami Gardens, Florida. (Photo by Eric Espada/Getty Images) /

No. 2: How Big a Weakness Is the 49ers Offensive Line?

San Francisco’s offensive line remains a unit in flux. And that’s not a good thing, considering O-lines take time to jell.

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The Niners will already be without second-year guard Joshua Garnett (knee) for the foreseeable future, and all sorts of questions remain outside of veteran left tackle Joe Staley.

The 49ers defensive line made easy work out of O-linemen Trent Brown and Brandon Fusco on day nine of practice, per Niners Wire’s Rob Lowder, and both pass protection and run blocking have been something of a constant issue for the guys up front.

If there is good news, it’s the fact this preseason bout should give a chance for players to test their skills against guys not necessarily familiar with apparent weaknesses.

Better yet, we could get a clearer indication which players may wind up in the starting alignment and which are better in reserve roles.

Still, signs aren’t pointing to this unit being a solid force this season.