49ers 53-man roster predictions ahead of first preseason game vs. Packers

49ers Offensive Lineman (9)

OT Trent Williams

OG Aaron Banks

C/G Daniel Brunskill

OG Spencer Burford

OT Mike McGlinchey

OT Jaylon Moore

OL Jason Poe

C Jake Brendel

OG Colton McKivitz

PS: C Donovan West, OG Nick Zakelj, OL Keaton Sutherland

The offensive line is one of the most interesting camp and preseason battles left on the entire Niners roster.

Yes, there are players such as left tackle Trent Williams, left guard Aaron Banks, and right tackle Mike McGlinchey, who are entrenched in their positions. And the likelihood is that Daniel Brunskill will have a part to play on this offensive line in 2022, either as a starter at center or right guard or as the team’s primary backup for pretty much every position.

That’s the first question mark, as has already been noted: Who will win the starting center role between Brunskill and Jake Brendel, a journeyman with just three career starts? Both players are being given plenty of opportunities to impress, but it looks like the preseason games will be key to showing Kyle Shanahan who will take on the role.

The loser doesn’t necessarily slide right into the starting lineup either. It might have been previously assumed that Brunskill was going to be either the starting center or the starting right guard. But Spencer Burford, a rookie guard out of the University of Texas-San Antonio, has stepped up and been the primary starter at the position during training camp.

If Burford can be a starter, then it means that while Brunskill will certainly make the team, he may not have a starting role if he loses out to Brendel at center. But Brunskill will be among the reserves, which could go as many as four deep.

This list likely will include Jaylon Moore, who can slide in at either tackle position and may be the heir apparent to McGlinchey at right tackle if the 49ers opt not to extend his contract, and Colton McKivitz, who has had a good camp and also provides the team with some versatility.

The last slot, at least for now, goes to undrafted free agent Jason Poe out of Mercer. Poe is incredibly athletic for someone his size and while he is a bit undersized, he has impressed in camp so far as well.

There could be other names that factor in as well, including newly signed veteran Jordan Mills who can also work as a swing tackle option, and Keaton Sutherland, who has shown good things in camp as well.

For now, the latter is a practice squad candidate along with undrafted rookie center Dohnovan West and 2022 sixth-round pick Nick Zakelj, who could use some seasoning coming out of Fordham.