Niner Noise
FanSided

Predicting 10 players who make 49ers practice squad in 2019

By Peter Panacy

SAN FRANCISCO, CA - DECEMBER 09: A San Francisco 49ers player carries his helmet before their game against the Miami Dolphins at Candlestick Park on December 9, 2012 in San Francisco, California. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)
SAN FRANCISCO, CA - DECEMBER 09: A San Francisco 49ers player carries his helmet before their game against the Miami Dolphins at Candlestick Park on December 9, 2012 in San Francisco, California. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images) /
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PASADENA, CA – SEPTEMBER 03: Kolton Miller #77 and Najee Toran #69 pick up Josh Rosen #3 of the UCLA Bruins after he was hit during the first half of a game against the Texas A&M Aggies at the Rose Bowl on September 3, 2017 in Pasadena, California. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images)
PASADENA, CA – SEPTEMBER 03: Kolton Miller #77 and Najee Toran #69 pick up Josh Rosen #3 of the UCLA Bruins after he was hit during the first half of a game against the Texas A&M Aggies at the Rose Bowl on September 3, 2017 in Pasadena, California. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images) /

No. 6: Offensive Lineman Najee Toran

Remember that part about two offensive linemen on a practice squad? Well, there’s a good chance the 49ers add another.

In this case, it’s a player who spent the better part of 2018 on the practice squad, Najee Toran.

Toran was promoted to the active roster in October of last season, only to be waived and re-signed to the practice squad later that month.

The 6-foot-2, 305-pound lineman does have the benefit of spending a full year immersed in Kyle Shanahan’s complex offense, albeit mostly with the third-string unit during training camp last season and into this year. Unlike Brunskill, though, Toran isn’t the best run blocker and won’t offer up much more in pass protection.

Essentially, Toran’s use would be for an absolute meltdown along the offensive line, which is always possible. But San Francisco would likely explore the open market before seriously considering Toran as a promotional piece.

Still, the Niners signed Toran to a reserve/future contract entering 2019, so they must like something in him.