Early 49ers roster bubble watch after 2020 NFL Draft
By Peter Panacy
Offensive Line
Lock: Daniel Brunskill, Ben Garland, Mike McGlinchey, Weston Richburg, Laken Tomlinson, Trent Williams
Strong Bubble: Shon Coleman, Tom Compton, Colton McKivitz, Justin Skule
Weak Bubble: Jake Brendel, Ross Reynolds, Ray Smith, Leonard Wester
Long Shot: Kofi Amichia, Jaryd Jones-Smith
Acquiring Trent Williams from the Redskins for a 2020 fifth- and 2021 third-round NFL Draft pick was a coup by John Lynch. Williams has more than enough familiarity with head coach Kyle Shanahan’s offense, so the hope is the seven-time Pro Bowler’s transition is about as seamless as possible.
As far as the remaining starting cast, the only questions are what happens at right guard between linemen Daniel Brunskill, free-agent signee Tom Compton and the team’s fifth-round rookie, Colton McKivitz, who’ll likely bump inside from being a collegiate tackle at West Virginia.
McKivitz, Justin Skule and Ben Garland figure to be key backups. And with the league’s new CBA rules going into effect, increasing the 53-man roster to 55 players on game days, provided one of the two additions is an offensive lineman, it’s possible a player like second-year pro Ross Reynolds or practice squad-eligible player, such as Jake Brendel, sees occasional action from time to time.
Like the defensive line, some of the depth battles along the O-line should be worth watching in training camp.