Niner Noise
FanSided

San Francisco 49ers: 13 predictions for the 2018 season

By Jason McDuffie

SANTA CLARA, CA - AUGUST 17: A general view of the San Francisco 49ers taking on the Denver Broncos during a preseason game at Levi's Stadium on August 17, 2014 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Noah Graham/Getty Images)
SANTA CLARA, CA - AUGUST 17: A general view of the San Francisco 49ers taking on the Denver Broncos during a preseason game at Levi's Stadium on August 17, 2014 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Noah Graham/Getty Images) /
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ARLINGTON, TX – APRIL 26: A video board displays an image of Mike McGlinchey of Notre Dame after he was picked #9 overall by the San Francisco 49ers during the first round of the 2018 NFL Draft at AT&T Stadium on April 26, 2018 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Tom Pennington/Getty Images)
ARLINGTON, TX – APRIL 26: A video board displays an image of Mike McGlinchey of Notre Dame after he was picked #9 overall by the San Francisco 49ers during the first round of the 2018 NFL Draft at AT&T Stadium on April 26, 2018 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Tom Pennington/Getty Images) /

No. 4: 49ers Offensive Line Will Prove It’s Worth the Money

Consider this one a “gut feeling.”

Stats and talent-wise, these bruisers along the offensive are ranked about the middle of the pack — 16th by Pro Football Focus — and that is OK. Outside of veteran left tackle Joe Staley, they are all young and can get better with experience. I didn’t see quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo sweating all that hard in the pocket in the final five games of last season. And that was before the Niners made a number of upgrades.

Center Weston Richburg is a nice fit in Kyle Shanahan’s system. Rookie Mike McGlinchey, whom the 49ers grabbed with their first NFL Draft pick this year, was easily the best tackle prospect coming out of college.

Sure, there are questions at right guard. But that can be masked up by the remaining O-line cast.

Some building blocks are being placed. I’m just saying!