How the 49ers’ offensive line shapes up after Zane Beadles release
By Peter Panacy
The San Francisco 49ers parted ways with veteran offensive lineman Zane Beadles on Monday, meaning the O-line will have younger competition in 2018. Let’s break it down.
One of former San Francisco 49ers general manager Trent Baalke’s “big” free-agent acquisitions, offensive lineman Zane Beadles, is no longer with the team.
Beadles, who spent the last two with the Niners, was released Monday. And there was a strong likelihood he wasn’t going to make the 53-man roster this season anyway. Not after posting 39.2 and 32.9 overall grades in 2016 and 2017, respectively, per Pro Football Focus.
What Beadles offered, though, was versatility. San Francisco often placed him at whatever position was in the greatest need. Over that two-year stint, Beadles wound up playing all five O-line positions at one point or another.
Either way, the 49ers’ new regime has vastly overhauled the O-line since the conclusion of 2016.
Just take a look at the changes, as noted by The Athletic’s David Lombardi:
49ers week 1 starting OL, 2017: LT Staley, LG Beadles, C Kilgore, RG Fusco, RT Brown
— David Lombardi (@LombardiHimself) May 7, 2018
Projected week 1 starting OL, 2018: LT Staley, LG Tomlinson/Garnett, C Richburg, RG Cooper, RT McGlinchey
Only 1 name will be the same. The unit got overhauled this offseason. https://t.co/xIFcaVanzN
San Francisco’s first overall pick from the 2018 NFL Draft, Mike McGlinchey, is a shoo-in starter at right tackle. Same goes with offseason free-agent pickup Weston Richburg at center.
There will be something of a competition at guard between Joshua Garnett, Laken Tomlinson and also offseason free-agent pickup, Jonathan Cooper, who rounds out a trio of former first-round draft picks. Two of these names likely start this season, with the other destined for immediate interior backup duties.
But what about the rest of the depth chart? How does Beadles’ release affect that crop?
San Francisco 49ers
Remaining O-Linemen on 49ers Offseason Roster
Here’s the breakdown of linemen on San Francisco’s roster right now:
- Jonathan Cooper
- Joshua Garnett
- Garry Gilliam
- Alan Knott*
- Andrew Lauderdale
- Erik Magnuson
- Jamar McGloster*
- Pace Murphy
- Weston Richburg
- Coleman Shelton*
- Joe Staley
- Laken Tomlinson
- Najee Toran*
- Darrell Williams Jr.
* denotes rookie
One of the themes from San Francisco’s new regime has been a youth movement. Moving Beadles increases the likelihood of younger players cracking the regular-season roster.
Two names, Erik Magnuson and Darrell Williams, are in a much better situation this season. The only question is what roles each may have.
Magnuson played in four games last season, starting two, as was cross trained at a number of various spots. It’s likely, perhaps possible, the 49ers are envisioning him as an uber-lineman of sorts, capable of backing up any of the three O-line positions.
Meanwhile, Williams flashed some moments in training camp and the preseason last year, eventually earning a promotion to the 53-man roster last November and appearing in seven games.
Either could be in prime position to compete for the swing tackle role, as well as the veteran, Garry Gilliam.
Next: 3 49ers rookies who'll start right away in 2018
As for the rest, training camp will likely dictate any risers and fallers. But, for now, this looks to be the crop of O-linemen with the best shot of sticking around into September.