49ers’ 2018 ‘Who Is?’ series: Offensive tackle Garry Gilliam
By Peter Panacy
San Francisco 49ers offensive tackle Garry Gilliam faces a steep climb to make the 53-man roster in 2018. Niner Noise takes a look with our latest “Who Is?” installment.
Heading into this offseason, there was a good chance San Francisco 49ers offensive tackle Garry Gilliam would hold onto a role with the Niners in 2018.
San Francisco seemed to justify this, inking him to a two-year contract extension, keeping him signed through 2019. While it wasn’t likely he be pegged a starter in head coach Kyle Shanahan’s second year, the possibility of emerging as a key swing tackle was there.
That was, of course, until the 49ers selected Notre Dame offensive tackle Mike McGlinchey and sent off former right tackle Trent Brown to the New England Patriots.
On the surface, this wouldn’t appear to affect Gilliam’s chances to make the 53-man roster this season. Many of the Niners’ other depth offensive linemen are young, inexperienced.
But last year proved San Francisco — who had more rookie snaps than any other team — is committed to the youth movement.
Does Gilliam fit in?
Why Garry Gilliam Improves in 2018
In eight games (including one start) before landing on season-ending injured reserve last year, Gilliam saw just 38 snaps and posted a 68.5 overall Pro Football Focus grade.
The distribution between run blocking and pass protection weren’t far apart, although his mark isn’t exactly top tier.
At 27 years old, Gilliam should be hitting the prime of his career. So it’s feasible he shows some moderate signs of improvement during offseason programs. The 49ers liked his movement abilities — a key reason they pried him away from the Seattle Seahawks ahead of 2017.
Yet Gilliam struggled during training camp, particularly during pass protection. If he shores up this area of his game, the all-important swing tackle role could easily be his.
Why He Regresses in 2018
As stated, you kind of know what you’re going to get out of Gilliam at this point in his career. Gilliam moves well but hasn’t been known as an effective pass blocker much.
If he does make the regular-season roster and is pressed into service, namely due to injury to one of the Niners’ starting tackles, he’ll likely be asked to man the right side of the line only. It’s a safer position, leaving a right-handed quarterback (Jimmy Garoppolo) in position to see the rush.
San Francisco 49ers
Still, that doesn’t absolve all of Gilliam’s pass-protection woes.
Even if Gilliam shows better prowess in run support, San Francisco’s coaching staff will pay close attention to his pass protection.
If that aspect struggles, so will Gilliam and his chances.
Chances of Making the 49ers’ 53-Man Roster
Gilliam will enter offseason programs competing for a backup job with younger linemen, Erik Magnuson and Darrell Williams Jr., along with the veteran, Mike Person. It wouldn’t be a shock to see the Niners keep two tackles in reserve, especially if one can double as a guard.
Gilliam has played tackle exclusively at the pro level, meaning it’s unlikely he bumps inside.
Contractually, cutting Gilliam ahead of the regular season would cost the 49ers $2.15 million in dead money, generating just $300,000 in cap savings. Yet the Niners aren’t exactly hindered by salary cap hell, so this is negligible.
Much of it will depend on how Gilliam performs in training camp and during the preseason. It’s likely he’s on the bubble. But given the two-year deal, one might view him a bit more on the strong side than weak.
And if he makes some of the aforementioned improvements, we should see him on the roster in Week 1.
Next: Niner Noise's 2018 'Who Is?' series: Jimmy Garoppolo
Hopefully as a depth option only.