Which 49ers players are on the bubble entering training camp?
By Peter Panacy
49ers training camp bubble watch: Offensive line
Lock: Aaron Banks, Jake Brendel, Daniel Brunskill, Spencer Burford*, Mike McGlinchey, Trent Williams
Strong bubble: Jaylon Moore, Justin Skule, Keaton Sutherland, Nick Zakelj*
Weak bubble: Dohnovan West*, Colton McKivitz
Long shot: Alfredo Gutierrez, Jason Poe*, Sam Schlueter*
Like the defensive line, the 49ers have plenty of options how to round out the depth chart. Unlike the D-line, the Niners have far more question marks and worry points.
About the only non-concerning spots are at the starting tackle roles with Trent Williams on the left and Mike McGlinchey on the right, and even McGlinchey is working his way back from a torn quad suffered last season. And while all signs point to him being ready by training camp, his health will still be something to monitor.
That pushes the need for a quality swing tackle into the forefront, and it’s a job San Francisco appears to want Justin Skule to win, having given him first- and second-team reps at tackle during offseason workouts.
However, one might look at the two drafted rookies, Spencer Burford and Nick Zakelj, as direct threats to Skule, Jaylon Moore and Colton McKivitz, the three returning veterans who aren’t exactly close to being locked on the roster.
Undrafted rookie Dohnovan West is interesting to watch, as he should have been a drafted player and could theoretically challenge players like Jake Brendel and Keaton Sutherland, who are in line to start at center in the wake of Pro Bowler Alex Mack’s offseason retirement.
Kyle Shanahan typically likes veterans in this spot, though, meaning West is probably a safer bet for a developmental role instead.