Niner Noise
FanSided

Predicting which players 49ers re-sign in 2020 NFL free agency

By Peter Panacy

LOS ANGELES, CA - DECEMBER 24: Ronald Blair #98 of the San Francisco 49ers celebrates with teammates after sacking Jared Goff #16 of the Los Angeles Rams (not pictured) during the fourth quarter of their game at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum on December 24, 2016 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CA - DECEMBER 24: Ronald Blair #98 of the San Francisco 49ers celebrates with teammates after sacking Jared Goff #16 of the Los Angeles Rams (not pictured) during the fourth quarter of their game at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum on December 24, 2016 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images) /
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ATLANTA, GA – DECEMBER 7: Ben Garland #63 of the Atlanta Falcons blocks against the New Orleans Saints at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on December 7, 2017 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Scott Cunningham/Getty Images)
ATLANTA, GA – DECEMBER 7: Ben Garland #63 of the Atlanta Falcons blocks against the New Orleans Saints at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on December 7, 2017 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Scott Cunningham/Getty Images) /

Offensive Lineman Ben Garland

While re-signing Shon Coleman would help alleviate the bookend backup job along the 49ers offensive line, there are still looming questions about the interior.

In one of the less-heralded moves of the offseason, the Niners brought aboard perennial backup interior lineman Ben Garland, who spent the last three seasons with the Atlanta Falcons.

This include one year, 2016, with head coach Kyle Shanahan, who was then serving as Atlanta’s offensive coordinator.

Shanahan certainly has a liking for players who understand his complex system. So the fact Garland already has developed a knowledge for it, previously, should bode well for his chances making the roster in 2019.

Perhaps beyond, too.

Another indication of this was the fact Garland received first-team reps at center during organized team activities, while the incumbent, Weston Richburg, was recovering from offseason knee surgery.

Garland’s placement here isn’t a total guarantee, of course. But if Garland winds up climbing the depth chart this season, he’ll likely be yet another cheap, experienced backup with multiyear knowledge of Shanahan’s system.