Grades for every 49ers 2022 NFL Draft rookie through first 8 games
By Peter Panacy
49ers NFL Draft picks in Round 4: OL Spencer Burford
San Francisco 49ers. SPENCER BURFORD. B+. . OL
For whatever many reasons, Kyle Shanahan and John Lynch seem to find hidden gems on day three of the NFL Draft.
This year, it’s looking as if the 49ers’ best day-three pickup is former UTSA offensive lineman Spencer Burford, who essentially won the starting right guard spot during training camp and hasn’t given it back.
Well, technically. Burford is in a rotation with veteran lineman Daniel Brunskill at that spot, and it’s common to see Burford take two series before giving way to Brunskill.
Odd? Perhaps. A decent way to develop a smaller-school rookie against NFL-level competition? Maybe.
Either way, Burford has been solid enough to suggest the Niners have their starting right guard for the foreseeable future, and Pro Football Focus actually hasn’t flagged him for any sacks allowed on the year over 224 pass-blocking snaps.
Not bad for a fourth-round pickup. Not bad at all.