3 former players San Francisco 49ers might miss in 2020
By Peter Panacy
No. 3: 49ers Offensive Line Is Questionable without Mike Person
While the 49ers will clearly miss fan-favorite left tackle Joe Staley, who retired this offseason, at least the Niners were able to replace him on the cheap by trading with the Washington Redskins for perennial Pro Bowl tackle Trent Williams during the NFL Draft.
Some could even argue Williams, five years younger, is actually an upgrade over Staley, too.
A less-discussed change took place on the right side of the line, as San Francisco parted ways with starting right guard Mike Person, saving over $2 million against the cap with zero in dead money. In turn, the Niners inked former New York Jets guard Tom Compton to compete with a 2019 unsung hero, Daniel Brunskill, for the right to start in Person’s stead.
Granted, Person didn’t look good at all against Kansas City Chiefs defensive tackle Chris Jones in Super Bowl LIV. But Person was a model of consistency for much of his two-year stint in San Francisco, starting all but two regular-season games and posting solid overall Pro Football Focus grades of 68.6 and 61.8 in 2018 and 2019, respectively.
Compton could end up being an upgrade. Brunskill could emerge as one of those hidden finds, ultimately thriving in a starter’s role.
For now, however, they’re unknowns. Person was a much more known factor.