How Nick Zakelj shakes up 49ers O-line depth chart

The 49ers used two of their day-three NFL Draft picks in 2022 on offensive linemen, one of them being Nick Zakelj, who might end up being a gem.

Admit it, you probably had little clue who new San Francisco 49ers offensive lineman Nick Zakelj was before the Niners called his name at No. 187 overall in the 2022 NFL Draft.

OK, so you probably did some draft study, looking at many of the top- and mid-ranked O-linemen in this year’s class, and it’s not like San Francisco lacked the need.

Like us, however, it was scrambling time when Zakelj turned out to be the pick.

It didn’t help he came from a small-school FCS program at Fordham. And while he participated at the NFL Scouting Combine, running a respectable 5.13 40-yard time, he still fell into the ranks of the relatively unknown.

For now, though, he’s among those nine 49ers draftees we’ll all be talking about through training camp.

What strengths, weaknesses does Nick Zakelj offer 49ers?

One of the themes popping up on many a scouting report from Zakelj is his ability to play with some tenacity, giving some additional meanness to the Niners O-line this season.

As far as his strengths, NFL.com’s Lance Zierlein touted the following:

"NFL size and length for the tackle position.Plays with athletic hands and feet in pass protection.Pass sets with independent hands and quality hand resets.Agile and fluid in redirecting his weight and mirroring rushers.Good feel for pocket depth and riding the rusher around the arc.Patient off snap to locate and catch slanting defenders.Displays hand pop into first contact in run game.Block finisher’s effort and demeanor."

In addition to that, Zakelj does bring plenty of starting experience, albeit with a small-school program, having played four years at tackle.

However, San Francisco probably envisions him having the flexibility to bump inside to guard at the NFL level.

Zierlein also noted how Zakelj’s pad level can be a bit too high, and he’ll likely struggle with his footwork, both in terms of his pass protection and movement.

Will Nick Zakelj bump someone else off 49ers roster?

A year ago during training camp, one of the apparent weaknesses the 49ers had was a clear lack of depth along their O-line despite using two NFL Draft picks on linemen, Aaron Banks in Round 2 and Jaylon Moore in Round 5.

Banks, who’s poised to start at left guard this year in the wake of Pro Bowler Laken Tomlinson leaving for the New York Jets, is probably safe despite seeing only five regular-season offensive snaps his rookie season, but Moore ended up falling out of favor despite a relatively decent preseason effort.

So it shouldn’t come as much of a shock the Niners used two more picks on linemen this year, the other being UTSA’s Spencer Burford, more of a guard who can play tackle if need be.

Read More: 49ers draft another O-lineman, Nick Zakelj in Round 6

Again, training camp and preseason games will go a long way towards determining whether or not Zakelj and Burford can push someone like Moore, Colton McKivitz or Justin Skule out of contention for a 53-man roster.

However, the additions of both rookies suggest San Francisco was in no way comfortable with its O-line depth heading into 2022.

As for Zakelj, he’ll squarely be in the mix for either a swing-tackle role or backup guard this season, potentially with the long-term hope of being named a starter should that need arise.

And as was the case with Tomlinson departing, it always will.