4 things 49ers must accomplish in preseason opener vs. Chiefs
By Peter Panacy
No. 3: 49ers must figure out second-team offensive line
While it’s always fun to point out the positive standouts in training camp, one of the glaring worries has been the second-string offensive line.
Granted, if any team is forced to rely too heavily on its reserve blockers, it’s likely going to be troublesome. But considering the Niners’ B-team O-line has been such a weakness throughout camp, it’s been awfully tough for Kyle Shanahan to gauge which players should be named to the 53-man roster this September.
Best way I can describe the #49ers second unit offensive line is that old-creeky bridge you see in movies that immediately collapse after a few steps. It’s that bad.
— Jose Sanchez III (@JSanchezFN) August 12, 2021
Reserves like Tom Compton and Jake Brendel probably shouldn’t make the roster. But rookies like Aaron Banks and Jaylon Moore need to show a good deal of improvement to prove themselves worthy of high-profile roles this season, either as backups or eventual starters.
So far, that hasn’t come to be the case.
If San Francisco pulls its starters early, the Chiefs may still be featuring their first-team defensive line against a weaker and depleted 49ers O-line, which probably means Trey Lance will find himself relying more on his athleticism and escapability than honing on play development and his pocket presence.
Not necessarily a good way to develop a rookie.