Want to fix the 49ers? Start with the offensive line first
By Peter Panacy
The rebuilding San Francisco 49ers have a flurry of needs heading into 2018, but the best way to fix the franchise is to start with the offensive line. Whether through free agency or the NFL Draft, here’s how and why.
2017 has long since turned into an extended preseason for the San Francisco 49ers under first-year head coach Kyle Shanahan.
At 1-10, thoughts of a playoff trip couldn’t be further out of reach for Shanahan and Co., meaning this year is solely about identifying the cornerstone pieces, blue-chip players and needs the team will have heading into the offseason this January.
Chief among those needs is the offensive line.
San Francisco 49ers
One could equate a team’s O-line to the foundation of a building. Nobody looks at the foundation or talks greatly of it. No, they spend time admiring the design, the architecture and the overall look, much like fans call for a playmaking wide receiver, running back or All-Pro quarterback.
But just like that building without a foundation, a team’s offense is nothing without a good O-line.
Bad O-lines can’t provide ample time for their quarterbacks in the pocket, nor can they adequately open up lanes for running backs.
Right now, that’s the 49ers’ situation. According to Football Outsiders, the Niners O-line ranks 15th in run blocking and 24th in pass protection.
True, those rankings are better than last year. But when San Francisco leads the entire NFL in quarterback hits surrendered (94), it’s not hard to understand why this is such a problem.
Why It’s Such an Issue for the 49ers
For the most part, we can cross off the O-line ends as top-tier problems. Offensive tackles Joe Staley and Trent Brown are certainly the most effective linemen San Francisco has on its roster.
But neither is in an ideal situation. More on that in a moment.
Instead, the interior O-line play is most problematic. Ignoring the tackle positions — notably Erik Magnuson in for Brown at RT — just check out Pro Football Focus‘ grades for the three interior spots:
If you’re not familiar with PFF’s grading system, the numbers for left guard Laken Tomlinson and center Daniel Kilgore aren’t good. Not at all.
Worse yet, these two have been responsible for 55-combined quarterback hurries on the year. And Kilgore’s four sacks allowed ranks worst among all qualifying centers, per PFF.
These numbers eventually took a toll on quarterback C.J. Beathard, who finally succumbed to an injury after a flurry of hits in Week 12 against the Seattle Seahawks, which then gave way to Jimmy Garoppolo’s three-play touchdown drive.
OK, great. But if the Niners want to protect their high-prized investment, they’ll need to do it up front.
Pending Problems in 2018
If you look above, you’ll see right guard Brandon Fusco has been the best 49ers interior lineman this season. He’s been durable too, starting all 11 games and seeing 737 snaps, second only to Kilgore’s 750.
But Fusco is a free agent this offseason. It’s anyone’s guess whether or not he’ll re-sign with San Francisco, but that’s one quick move the Niners could make between now and 2018.
It doesn’t solve all the issues, though. Tomlinson, filling in for injured left guard Joshua Garnett (knee), isn’t a long-term solution. And with Kilgore also heading towards free agency this offseason, the 49ers could stand for two upgrades here.
But what about Garnett, you ask.
Well, he’s not an ideal fit in Shanahan’s outside-zone offense. Instead, Garnett is more of a power-run blocker. And while he could eventually develop into something serviceable in this particular scheme, we still have no clue how the new coaching regime views his talent level and fit.
The same could be argued about Brown too. He’s more of a power-type lineman, better off in pass protection than supporting the run. While he’s improved a bit in this area since last year, he’s still not the ideal fit.
And with Staley turning 34 years old this August, one can see how the Niners’ O-line can become a major issue very soon.
Fixing the 49ers Offensive Line
San Francisco should have two immediate goals for the O-line this offseason and possibly two more in the long-term scheme of things:
- Short Term
- Find upgrades at center and guard
- Acquire quality depth at all three positions
- Long Term
- Find a younger replacement for Joe Staley
- Consider a scheme upgrade over Trent Brown
There are a number of ways to go about doing this. Fusco is a free-agent target worthy of bringing back. But the rest of the 2018 free-agent market along the O-line isn’t overly enticing. Some names, yes, but few should be considered as long-term fixes.
Instead, San Francisco should utilize one of its top picks in the upcoming NFL Draft.
Sure, the popular choice for the Niners’ No. 1 pick this April would be someone like Penn State running back Saquon Barkley. But remember that whole comparison to a building without a foundation?
Well, there you go.
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A wiser move would be to go with someone like Notre Dame offensive guard Quenton Nelson or fellow Notre Dame tackle Mike McGlinchey. And even if the 49ers went this route first, targeting a player like Ohio State center Billy Price in Round 2 equally wouldn’t be a bad move.
Simply put, at least two of San Francisco’s early picks in the draft should focus on the O-line.
This would serve to protect Garoppolo, enforce the Niners’ will up front and set up Shanahan’s complex-yet-effective offense for some serious success.
Next: NFL Draft options to fix the 49ers offensive line
With that foundation built, the 49ers can then worry about putting the finishing touches on the rest of the still-building roster.