Toward the end of training camp and into the preseason, there was a bit of a sentiment the San Francisco 49ers had struck gold again in the late rounds of the NFL Draft, specifically with regard to seventh-round draftee Connor Colby, the offensive lineman out of Iowa.
Colby had some impressive moments and even managed to start a string of six games in a row his rookie season, thanks largely to injuries to fellow linemen like Ben Bartch.
However, it didn't take too long for the Niners to realize why Colby was still available well into Round 7 the previous April. He was subsequently pulled from the starting lineup in Week 9 and barely saw the field on offense thereafter.
Subsequently, San Francisco's numerous efforts to beef up the O-line during the offseason don't exactly suggest Colby will carry a major load in 2026 either.
And that could well work against him in year two.
Connor Colby faces no shortage of stiff competition entering 2026
Pro Football Focus slapped Colby with a lackluster 50.7 overall grade last year, lowlighted by an abysmal 33.7 pass-blocking grade with a credited three sacks allowed on 281 passing snaps.
While PFF data isn't automatically conclusive, what is suggestive is just how many moves the 49ers made to reinforce the O-line over the offseason. Free-agent additions like Brett Toth, Vederian Lowe and Robert Jones could all force Colby down the depth chart, while the drafting of rookies Carver Willis and Enrique Cruz Jr. put even more pressure on the former Hawkeye to make a substantial leap in his sophomore year.
Granted, Colby does have the edge in being the incumbent, and the 49ers partially cleared out some competition by bidding farewell to now-Las Vegas Raiders left guard Spencer Burford last spring.
But, looking at the net changes on the O-line's interior, it's not hard to conclude Colby faces more competition now than he did a year ago.
And recent investments typically generate more buzz than earlier ones.
Colby will have to outshine several of the Niners' new faces during training camp and the preseason, and that might just be to carve out a roster spot as a backup.
If not, it wouldn't be a shock to see the former Iowa lineman a one-and-done commodity with San Francisco.
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