49ers roster: 3 veterans who could lose their starting job to a rookie

49ers veteran No. 1: Offensive lineman Daniel Brunskill

The 49ers made it awfully clear they weren’t satisfied with their offensive line depth last season, subsequently spending two draft picks to reinforce this crop, UTSA’s Spencer Burford in Round 4 and Fordham’s Nick Zakelj in Round 6.

Both Burford and Zakelj have experience playing both tackle and guard. And while Zakelj might be more of a draft-and-develop player at this stage of his early career, Burford might easily be a dark-horse candidate to start right away.

But where?

The Niners surely intend to have second-year pro Aaron Banks occupy the left guard spot in the wake of Pro Bowler Laken Tomlinson leaving in free agency. And while it won’t be easy for anyone, including Burford, to unseat the versatile and efficient right guard, Daniel Brunskill, we do have to open up the possibility.

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Should this be the case, it’s not necessarily bad for Brunskill and San Francisco. One might argue his value to the team would be greater as an uber-backup, of sorts, someone capable of filling in at essentially all five spots along the O-line.

The 49ers needed that last season, particularly with right tackle Mike McGlinchey suffering a season-ending quad tear halfway through the year.

And while that wasn’t an ideal scenario, the Niners better prepare their contingency plans anyway.