49ers: 5 players hurt most by lack of OTAs, minicamps

No. 4: 49ers Offensive Guard Tom Compton

Sticking with the Niners’ O-line theme here, another player up front who could suffer from the lack of minicamps and offseason workouts is veteran guard Tom Compton.

Compton, who joined the 49ers on a one-year-free agent deal during the offseason, will primarily compete with Daniel Brunskill for the starting right guard spot in training camp. But there are a few key differences separating why Compton could struggle and the pending struggles a player like Colton McKivitz could have.

On the positive side, Compton does have plenty of experience in Kyle Shanahan’s offense, stemming from time spent together with the Washington Redskins in 2012 and 2013, as well as the Atlanta Falcons in 2016, when Shanahan was the offensive coordinator there with both squads.

That’ll provide a boost, yes. Yet it’s important to point out Compton started precisely zero games during his under-Shanahan tenure. Compton wasn’t a regular starter until 2014, and even then he only got five starts under his belt before securing another full-time starter’s role with the New York Jets last year.

Additionally, given the nature of his one-year deal, Compton not being able to hone his skills earlier this offseason with San Francisco could ultimately mean he’s part of those necessary roster cuts if he fails to beat Brunskill in training camp.