49ers’ 2019 ‘Who Is?’ series: Offensive lineman Willie Beavers

The San Francisco 49ers recently picked up offensive lineman Willie Beavers off waivers from the Chicago Bears. What did the Niners see in Beavers, and will he make the 53-man roster in 2019? Niner Noise’s “Who Is?” series looks deeper.

For the most part, the San Francisco 49ers offensive line is set for starters in 2019. As far as depth, however, there are more than a handful of questions surrounding how this positional group pans out when the regular season rolls around.

The Niners hoped to at least solve some of the depth and competition questions by adding another option, 25-year-old offensive lineman Willie Beavers, whom the team claimed off waivers from the Chicago Bears in early May.

Beavers has bounced around the league a bit since joining the Minnesota Vikings as a fourth-round NFL Draft pick in 2016 out of Western Michigan. He participated in two games his rookie year, was signed to the New England Patriots’ practice squad the following season before going back to the Vikings on a practice squad deal. Before 2017 was up, Beavers found himself on the Seattle Seahawks’ practice squad, yet failed to make the roster in 2018, eventually being signed to the Bears’ practice squad.

Yeah, quite a lot of movement.

OK, so why would San Francisco want to add a player who seemingly can’t find a “forever home?”

Maybe the 49ers are banking on some notable improvements.

Why Willie Beavers Improves in 2019

As a fourth-round pick with just two games under his belt, it’s safe to say the 6-foot-5, 342-pound Beavers hasn’t lived up to expectations.

The good news, though, is the vast majority of his NFL Draft scouting reports state how he has solid mobility, such as this from NFL.com’s Lance Zierlein:

"Loose, fluid athlete for the position with very good foot quickness and agility. Quick out of his stance and is eager to get into his target first. first. Easy, natural mover in space and has all the traits to be effective as a zone scheme blocker. Has the quickness to get to difficult second level blocks."

49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan uses an outside-zone scheme, which would appear to benefit Beavers. His forte also seems to be in run blocking, which also fits what Shanahan has done with the Niners O-line the past year-plus.

Why Willie Beavers Regresses in 2019

Well, it’s still hard to figure out why Beavers hasn’t landed anywhere permanently, bouncing around five different teams since 2016. This suggests Beavers has some likable traits, yet perhaps won’t hone in on the skills necessary to command a regular-season roster spot.

That lower-end fringe territory, so to speak.

Beavers also had some pass-protection issues in college, too, and appears to have some serious issues with bull rushes. One Vikings report highlighted how Beavers struggled in his first training camp and preseason after bumping from collegiate tackle to guard, and his subsequent movement since could suggest improvements simply haven’t been there.

If these areas aren’t shored up, Beavers likely stays on third-unit squads and won’t have too many chances to impress the coaching staff.

Chances of Making the 49ers’ 53-Man Roster in 2019

Beavers should be on the long-shot side of the roster bubble. The Niners do have some concerns for the interior of their offensive line, namely with the depth. And while other interior linemen, such as Joshua Garnett and Erik Magnuson, are also on the bubble, they both stand a much better chance to stick around in 2019.

On the positive side, Beavers does have the outside-zone and run-blocking abilities to at least stand a shot.

Still, as was the case with both the Vikings and Bears, Beavers likely enters training camp working with the third-string unit — a place he’ll likely stay at, which relegates him to being one of the many roster cuts taking place after the fourth and final preseason game of 2019.