49ers roster: 5 players who quietly overperformed in 2022
By Peter Panacy
Overperforming 49ers player No. 4: Center Jake Brendel
Remember back when there was nothing but panic in the wake of veteran Pro Bowl center Alex Mack’s sudden retirement?
That left San Francisco with few other choices but to start Mack’s backup in 2021, journeyman reservist Jake Brendel, who had only three regular-season starts dating back to his entry in the league in 2016 before being named the 49ers’ new starter in training camp.
Thought to be a liability, Brendel has been anything but.
Jake Brendel ranks #4 among NFL centers in pass-blocking efficiency and #17 in run-block grade.
— David Lombardi (@LombardiHimself) December 26, 2022
What’s more: Since the CMC takeover in Week 8, Brendel has ranked #8 in run-block grade.
Summary: 49ers are getting top-10 center play even after Alex Mack’s retirement
According to Pro Football Focus, Brendel has given up just one sack and 11 pressures on a notable 526 pass-blocking snaps.
Just looking at the eye test, he hasn’t been a liability on the interior of the Niners’ offensive line, and that’s a massive win in the wake of Mack’s departure.