49ers training camp: 5 players impressing the most over first 2 weeks
By Peter Panacy
49ers training camp standout No. 3: Offensive guard Spencer Burford
The majority of rookies in 49ers training camp aren’t competing for starting roles, rather those first-year pros are looking for key spots on the depth chart with long-term hopes of emerging as starters in a year or two.
This isn’t looking to be the case with fourth-round NFL Draft pick, offensive guard Spencer Burford.
The Niners have placed the former UTSA standout with the first-team unit at right guard, a move predicated by San Francisco’s experiment to alternate Daniel Brunskill and Jake Brendel at center. And while there are other options for right guard other than Burford, the 49ers seem poised to start the year off with the rookie in this role.
He’s excelling, too, as broken down by Sports Illustrated’s Grant Cohn:
"[Burford] performed surprisingly well during 1-on-1 pass rush drills. The rookie fourth-round pick beat vets such as Charles Omenihu, Kevin Givens and Robert Nkemdiche. Based solely on this drill, Burford appears to be the 49ers’ best interior offensive lineman right now, and he’s the youngest player on the team."
Read More: Don’t be surprised if Spencer Burford starts in 2022
While the Niners still have glaring questions about the interior of their offensive line, Burford is looking to at least provide one quality answer.