Niner Noise
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San Francisco 49ers: 3 rookies from 2019 NFL Draft to watch in 2020

By Peter Panacy

SANTA CLARA, CALIFORNIA - JANUARY 19: Dre Greenlaw #57 of the San Francisco 49ers runs onto the field prior to the NFC Championship game against the Green Bay Packers at Levi's Stadium on January 19, 2020 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images)
SANTA CLARA, CALIFORNIA - JANUARY 19: Dre Greenlaw #57 of the San Francisco 49ers runs onto the field prior to the NFC Championship game against the Green Bay Packers at Levi's Stadium on January 19, 2020 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images) /
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Justin Skule, 49ers
Justin Skule #67 of the San Francisco 49ers (Photo by Michael Zagaris/San Francisco 49ers/Getty Images) /

No. 3: Offensive Tackle Justin Skule

Then-rookie sixth-round NFL Draft pick, offensive tackle Justin Skule, was supposed to compete for a swing-tackle role alongside the veteran, Shon Coleman, entering 2019.

But Coleman’s season-ending loss to a serious ankle injury thrust Skule into a prominent role, and the 49ers ended up needing the former Vanderbilt blocker a lot over the season, namely to supplement the depth behind starting tackles Joe Staley and Mike McGlinchey.

Staley and McGlinchey missed substantial time during the season due to injury, putting Skule and fellow backup lineman Daniel Brunskill into starting roles.

Brunskill outperformed Skule, yes. But with the Niners parting ways with right guard Mike Person during the offseason, Brunskill now appears to be a shoo-in for the starting job.

Now, Skule emerges as a top candidate with Coleman for primary swing-tackle duties.

Last year, Skule surrendered a team-high six sacks over 15 games played and eight starts, according to Pro Football Focus. That’s not a great number, yet one can hope the second-year pro winds up improving on his first-year campaign. Especially if rumors about Staley possibly retiring turn into truth.

In an ideal world, the 49ers don’t need Skule to see a meaningful snap this season. But if he does, it’ll be comforting to know he has improved enough to be relied upon regularly.