Niner Noise
FanSided

San Francisco 49ers: Strengths, weaknesses and X-factors for each position

By Peter Panacy

KANSAS CITY, MO - SEPTEMBER 23: Jimmy Garoppolo #10 of the San Francisco 49ers throws a quick pass to teammate Matt Breida #22 during the second quarter of the game against the Kansas City Chiefs at Arrowhead Stadium on September 23, 2018 in Kansas City, Missouri. (Photo by Peter Aiken/Getty Images)
KANSAS CITY, MO - SEPTEMBER 23: Jimmy Garoppolo #10 of the San Francisco 49ers throws a quick pass to teammate Matt Breida #22 during the second quarter of the game against the Kansas City Chiefs at Arrowhead Stadium on September 23, 2018 in Kansas City, Missouri. (Photo by Peter Aiken/Getty Images) /
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SANTA CLARA, CA – JULY 30: Mike Person #78 and Joe Staley #74 of the San Francisco 49ers participate in drills during practice at the San Francisco 49ers training facility on July 30, 2011 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images)
SANTA CLARA, CA – JULY 30: Mike Person #78 and Joe Staley #74 of the San Francisco 49ers participate in drills during practice at the San Francisco 49ers training facility on July 30, 2011 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images) /

Offensive Line

The 49ers spent a lot of effort revamping their offensive line in 2018, bringing aboard center Weston Richburg and right guard Mike Person in free agency, while using their first-round NFL Draft choice on Notre Dame’s Mike McGlinchey.

These changes dramatically influenced San Francisco’s ability to run the ball, as the Niners O-line ranked 10th in run support, according to Football Outsiders.

At the same time, though, Football Outsiders ranked the 49ers 22nd in pass protection, giving up a total of 48 sacks in 2018.

Strengths

McGlinchey was the primary culprit in pass protection last year, but a full season under his belt should mean he’ll get better in that department. Same with continuity, too, as O-lines typically need time to jell with each other. Barring injury, the 49ers should get that.

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Veteran left tackle Joe Staley, who’ll turn 35 years old before Week 1, is still playing as solid as ever. Little reason to worry about him.

And with San Francisco revamping its running back stock, the Niners’ pass-blocking abilities will be needed once more.

Weaknesses

While the tackle play is only moderately a concern, especially with pass protection on the right side, the 49ers are still trying to get by with only adequate guards. Person has been a perennial journeyman backup for the majority of his career, and it’s anyone’s guess if his solid 2018 campaign was a mere “flash in the pan.”

Meanwhile, Richburg endured arguably the worst season of his pro career a year ago, and the knee injury which hampered him throughout 2018 has cut into his offseason training, as he’s missed both OTAs and minicamp following surgery.

X-Factors

Richburg’s recovery is going to be something to watch. As a whole, though, the 49ers will need to show some significant improvement in the pass-protection department.

Especially considering their starting quarterback, Jimmy Garoppolo, is coming off his torn ACL in 2018. Each time a defender gets close to Garoppolo, fans will cringe.

Depth is also a modest concern, as the Niners don’t exactly have any true and established backups for all five spots. Let’s hope everyone stays healthy.