SF 49ers: 5 players with most to prove in Week 15 vs. Cowboys

No. 4: SF 49ers Right Tackle Mike McGlinchey

San Francisco’s offensive line has been one of Kyle Shanahan’s glaring weaknesses this season, and few players here have received as much criticism as right tackle Mike McGlinchey.

True, Pro Football Focus credits McGlinchey with just three sacks allowed on the season, yet his 29 pressures allowed is a team-high, and his 59.6 pass-blocking grade through 14 weeks isn’t exactly indicative of any improvement here.

McGlinchey, the SF 49ers’ top pick from the 2018 NFL Draft, still has one more year left on his rookie contract, but the Niners are still in a position where they can decide whether or not they want to pick up his fifth-year option. Shanahan suggested the team would look at McGlinchey’s ideal weight during the offseason, hinting at the thought San Francisco isn’t quite ready to move on from McGlinchey yet.

But watching seemingly weekly instances of McGlinchey getting pushed around by bigger, stronger pass-rushers isn’t exactly an endorsement.

McGlinchey will have two primary Cowboys pass-rushers to worry about in Week 15, DeMarcus Lawrence and Aldon Smith, who have a combined 9.5 sacks between them.

A strong showing against those two players should give McGlinchey a much-needed boost this late in the season.