Niner Noise
FanSided

San Francisco 49ers: Top 5 positional needs for 2019 offseason

By Peter Panacy

SANTA CLARA, CA - SEPTEMBER 16: Marvin Jones #11 of the Detroit Lions catches a touchdown pass over Ahkello Witherspoon #23 of the San Francisco 49ers during the fourth quarter of their NFL football game at Levi's Stadium on September 16, 2018 in Santa Clara, California. The 49ers won the game 30-27. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images)
SANTA CLARA, CA - SEPTEMBER 16: Marvin Jones #11 of the Detroit Lions catches a touchdown pass over Ahkello Witherspoon #23 of the San Francisco 49ers during the fourth quarter of their NFL football game at Levi's Stadium on September 16, 2018 in Santa Clara, California. The 49ers won the game 30-27. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
2 of 6
Next
CARSON, CA – SEPTEMBER 30: Tight end George Kittle #85 of the San Francisco 49ers celebrates his touchdown against the Los Angeles Chargers with offensive tackle Mike Person #68 at StubHub Center on September 30, 2018 in Carson, California. (Photo by Jayne Kamin-Oncea/Getty Images)
CARSON, CA – SEPTEMBER 30: Tight end George Kittle #85 of the San Francisco 49ers celebrates his touchdown against the Los Angeles Chargers with offensive tackle Mike Person #68 at StubHub Center on September 30, 2018 in Carson, California. (Photo by Jayne Kamin-Oncea/Getty Images) /

No. 5: Offensive Guard

On one hand, the question marks along the 49ers’ interior offensive line haven’t been as pressing as initially thought. At least outside of injury.

The Niners have suffered a bit of attrition, sure, mainly losing third-year guard Joshua Garnett for an extended period of time to a toe injury. The starter over him, Mike Person, has held up surprisingly well on the right side. And we haven’t heard left guard Laken Tomlinson‘s name called too much this season either — a good thing for an O-lineman.

All that said, though, Person is signed only through the season. And his long-term projection with the team might be best served as a utility backup along the line. Garnett also doesn’t look like he’ll be a part of the team beyond this season either.

Currently, according to Pro Football Focus, the 49ers rank 20th in pass protection but third in run blocking. To create an overly mauling O-line, especially against some of the elite interior pass-rushers in the league, the Niners will need to make another investment here.