49ers roster: 5 most important offensive players entering 2021
By Peter Panacy
No. 4 Most Important Offensive Player for 49ers: C Alex Mack
Another player the casual fan might not recognize on the list of most important San Francisco offensive players: center Alex Mack.
Mack, the six-time Pro Bowler, reunites with Kyle Shanahan after previous stints together with both the Cleveland Browns and Atlanta Falcons, and the 49ers made Mack a high-priority free-agent acquisition after losing veteran center Weston Richburg to a serious knee injury late in 2019, which led to a revolving door at the spot the following year.
Shanahan has long since trusted this spot on the offensive line to proven veterans, and Richburg’s initial contract signed back in 2018 shows why the Niners aren’t afraid to spend big money to get someone who can handle the responsibilities.
Mack’s three-year, $14.85 million deal is pretty substantial for a player who’ll turn 36 years old this season.
Precisely why Mack’s importance can’t be overstated is the fact Shanahan puts a great deal of emphasis on centers. The outside-zone blocking scheme requires this lineman to be precise with defensive identifications while also calling out blitzers in pass-coverage situations.
In 2019, when Richburg was healthy, the offense clicked well. Once he was lost, it wasn’t hard to see how the overall system wasn’t functioning anywhere near 100 percent.
Needless to say, the hope is for Mack to get San Francisco’s offense back into the elite ranks.