49ers: 5 players who must step up during 2020 season

San Francisco 49ers: 5 players who must step up in 2020

SANTA CLARA, CA - NOVEMBER 11: Wide Receivers/Passing Game Specialist Mike LaFleur and Dante Pettis #18 of the San Francisco 49ers talk on the sideline during the game against the New York Giants at Levi's Stadium on November 11, 2018 in Santa Clara, California. The Giants defeated the 49ers 27-23. (Photo by Michael Zagaris/San Francisco 49ers/Getty Images) /

3 of 6

Daniel Brunskill, San Francisco 49ers (Photo by Michael Zagaris/San Francisco 49ers/Getty Images) /

No. 4: OL Daniel Brunskill

The release of Person means there’s one starting slot along the offensive line up for grabs: right guard sandwiched between center Weston Richburg and right tackle Mike McGlinchey.

While the 49ers signed Tom Compton off the street during the offseason, it seems reasonable to say the offensive line would be in better shape if Daniel Brunskill wins the job over the journeyman veteran.

Brunskill played well at several different positions last season, filling in for McGlinchey for several games at right tackle and even featuring as a left tackle, too, but it seems likely that his best opportunity to start will be to kick inside to guard.

His versatility will continue to be useful for the team, but the most vital need is shoring up the interior of the 49ers offensive line, which got beaten rather badly by Chiefs defensive tackle Chris Jones during the Super Bowl.

If Brunskill can step up and make certain that there aren’t really any weak parts of the offensive line in 2020, that will be a key to making the 49ers offense as strong a unit as it can be.