4 most important players on 49ers roster who aren’t starters
By Peter Panacy
No. 3: 49ers offensive lineman Justin Skule
In an ideal world, San Francisco won’t end up needing backup offensive lineman Justin Skule for any meaningful snaps in 2022.
The 49ers didn’t have him available in 2021, though.
Skule missed all of last year with an ACL tear, yet that didn’t amount to the Niners being without the need for a swing tackle. San Francisco lost right tackle Mike McGlinchey to a season-ending quad tear squarely in the middle of the season.
The contingency plan was to start veteran backup Tom Compton, which worked out in the run game but not so much in pass protection.
With Compton joining the Denver Broncos via free agency this offseason, though, the pressure is on players like Skule to fill in this vital (if not always needed) role on the depth chart.
Skule does have some competition for this job, stemming mostly from other backups like Jaylon Moore, Colton McKivitz and a 2022 draftee, Nick Zakelj. Yet the 49ers let Skule work with the first-team unit during organized team activities and mandatory minicamp while McGlinchey remains out leading into training camp.
Backing up McGlinchey and All-Pro left tackle Trent Williams is something the Niners need to prioritize.