Spencer Burford has been 49ers’ best rookie in training camp to date

The 49ers are watching their Round 4 NFL Draft pick, Spencer Burford, deliver the biggest impact in training camp out of any rookie thus far.

Revisiting the San Francisco 49ers’ 2022 NFL Draft class, it’s not hard to see how the overwhelming majority of selections were fully intended to serve as backups and reserves in year one.

Including the Niners’ top pick, former USC pass-rusher Drake Jackson, who figures to be a rotational rusher his rookie season and not an every-down player anytime soon. With two weeks of training camp now complete, Jackson has nevertheless had his share of promising moments.

However, the most impactful rookie from San Francisco’s draft class hasn’t been Jackson or the two third-round offensive contributors, running back Tyrion Davis-Price or wide receiver Danny Gray.

No, it’s been fourth-round offensive guard Spencer Burford.

True, the 49ers have some question marks for the interior of their offensive line, which opened up a better opportunity for the former UTSA lineman to have a better crack at emerging as a starter in year one.

To date, though, Burford is certainly making the most of those chances, regularly appearing with the first-string unit throughout training camp and showing up on the positive side of both practice reports and fellow player evaluations.

Spencer Burford earns serious praise from 49ers QB Trey Lance

The Niners’ need to protect second-year quarterback Trey Lance is vital, and any worries about the O-line are going to be magnified in this context.

So far, the young signal-caller has been impressed with the rookie and how he’s carried himself in training camp, telling reporters:

"I had high expectations for [Burford] coming in. I had watched him play and yeah, he’s lived up to all of it and he’s done a great job. I’m not obviously, in the offensive line with him every day. And I know he’s growing and getting better every single rep, but just the way he carries himself, man, he comes to work every day, like a pro and that’s a lot for a rookie also."

Lance also added that Burford is a “super mature dude.”

While San Francisco has explored a bit of a rotation at center in the wake of Pro Bowler Alex Mack’s offseason retirement, and the team is also trying to fully infuse second-year lineman Aaron Banks in at left guard, Burford seems to be the most impressive first-time starter of the bunch.

Spencer Burford continues to impress 49ers, others in training camp

The 49ers’ stout defensive line serves as a major challenge for even the most experienced O-linemen, let alone a rookie.

Combing through many a practice report, though, Burford’s name is regularly among the positive standouts. Case in point, let’s look at what Sports Illustrated’s Grant Cohn had to say about Burford from one particular camp report in Week 2:

"[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."

The fewer question marks the Niners have regarding their O-line this season, the better. And while Burford might have originally been viewed as a primary backup worth developing into a starter over a year or two, any immediate impact like this could pay off handsomely.

Read More: Don’t be shocked if Spencer Burford ends up starting in 2022

Beyond having good training camp practices, Burford is catching the eye of his coaching staff, too, which is always positive and will go a long way towards climbing the depth chart.

San Francisco’s offensive line coach, Chris Foerster, had the following discussion about the rookie with NBC Sports Bay Area’s Matt Maiocco:

"As I said to Spencer, “There’s no question, you’re a starting guard in the NFL.” I have no doubt. After being here for not even two weeks in training camp, seeing the kid in the offseason, his demeanor, his work, his habits, his strength. Unless he goes off the rails, he’s a starting guard.Now, is he a starting guard Sept. 11 (Week 1 at the Chicago Bears)? Is he starting guard in October? Is he a starting guard in 2023? I said to him, “Only you will decide that.”"

So far, Burford appears to be deciding that in the best way possible, and it wouldn’t be a shocker whatsoever if the 49ers’ fourth-round rookie winds up being a first-year starter right out of the gate.