Ranking 49ers 5 biggest roster needs ahead of NFL free agency

No. 2: Offensive Line

Unlike wide receiver or cornerback, the 49ers offensive line appears all but set heading into 2020, at least as far as the starting group is concerned.

Left tackle Joe Staley probably won’t retire, left guard Laken Tomlinson is probably retaining his starting job and center Weston Richburg is a key focal point for Kyle Shanahan’s upfront unit. Right tackle Mike McGlinchey is also locked in as a starter.

There could be some shakeups at right guard, though, especially considering starting lineman Mike Person has zero in guaranteed money for this upcoming season. Contracts and tenures get weird when that’s the case, and the Niners could save $2.5 million against the cap if he’s cut.

When Person was dealing with a neck injury late in the season, backup lineman Daniel Brunskill adequately filled the void.

Perhaps that’s a position battle to watch during the offseason.

Yet it prompts the idea San Francisco could stand for some depth moves between now and training camp. If Person is cut and Brunskill is the shoo-in to take his place, that would essentially leave one backup tackle, Justin Skule, with the best chance to make the 53-man roster. Particularly with fellow swing tackle Shon Coleman, who went on injured reserve during the preseason, hitting free agency.

Backup center Ben Garland, who filled in for Richburg after Week 14, is also a pending free agent.

One would expect San Francisco to bring him back.