49ers offensive grades from first half of 2022 NFL season

49ers 1st-half offensive grades: Offensive line

If there’s been one scapegoat for the Niners’ offense this season, at least outside of Jimmy Garoppolo, it’s probably been the offensive line.

According to Football Outsiders, San Francisco’s O-line ranks 18th in both pass protection and run blocking halfway through the year, which is something of a contrast to Pro Football Focus‘ placement of the 49ers’ blockers at No. 11 overall, recently.

This, too, is a unit that has dealt with injury attrition, especially after losing left tackle Trent Williams for the bulk of games between Weeks 3 and 7. And with right tackle Mike McGlinchey still dealing with bull-rush problems in pass protection, one can see why the O-line is receiving some critical heat.

However, there have been positives.

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Few have arisen more than second-year left guard Aaron Banks, who has gone from a rookie-year “bust” candidate into a quality starter who has yet to allow a sack in full-time duties.

That’s quite the turnaround.

In reality, the Niners’ O-line has performed better than what it’s being given credit for. But, when this group has looked bad, it’s been awfully bad.

And there’s room for improvement heading into the second half of the season, which will kick off in Week 10 against the Los Angeles Chargers.