49ers depth chart: 4 reasons to be concerned about offensive line
By Peter Panacy
49ers offensive line concern No. 3: Will the depth be sufficient?
A year ago during training camp, it was notably apparent just how bad the Niners’ O-line depth was behind the starters. That was a glaring problem. Fortunately, the only real depth challenge San Francisco had to endure was losing starting right tackle Mike McGlinchey to a season-ending quad tear halfway through the season.
More on McGlinchey later, but the 49ers were forced to start reserve lineman Tom Compton in McGlinchey’s stead for the rest of 2021 and into the playoffs. And while Compton held his own in run support, he was still a notable liability in pass protection.
Alas, Compton also left in free agency during the offseason, and the Niners responded by throwing numerous draft assets to address their O-line depth woes, including bringing aboard day-three picks in Spencer Burford and Nick Zakelj.
Those two will compete with others like Dohnovan West, a rookie, along with returnees such as Justin Skule, Colton McKivitz and Jaylon Moore, among others, to see who can wind up backing up the starters this season.
It’s not necessarily an impressive bunch, especially considering we shouldn’t place too much hype upon first-year players in contrast to the less-than-stellar returning crop of veterans.
Hopefully, San Francisco won’t need its depth.