The 49ers let swing tackle Jaylon Moore depart via free agency, but they're not panicking about a would-be replacement.
The San Francisco 49ers have endured a tumultuous offseason (again), this time marked by a swarm of player releases, trades and free-agent departures.
While it wasn't quite the blockbuster loss in contrast to others, the Niners said goodbye to their swing tackle, Jaylon Moore, who went from a perennial backup in the Bay Area to the Kansas City Chiefs on a two-year deal worth up to $30 million to serve as their new left tackle.
Great for him. He now holds a prominent role in the NFL.
However, San Francisco has a void to fill now, one that'll involve backing up right tackle Colton McKivitz and perennial All-Pro left tackle Trent Williams.
According to one team insider, the 49ers already know who they're penciling in for the role.
Spencer Burford takes the lead for 49ers' swing tackle vacancy
Speaking on SF Standard's Tim Kawakami's podcast, the TK Show, The Athletic's Matt Barrows circled three-year pro offensive lineman Spencer Burford as the primary beneficiary behind Moore's departure.
"I think their answer is Spencer Burford as a possibility," Barrows said when discussing the question raised by Moore's departure. "Burford started doing a lot more at tackle as (last) season wore on. ... Burford started playing more and more tackle. He was a college tackle ... he's a little more 'tackle-ee' than Jaylon Moore and McKivitz were."
You can listen to the full podcast below:
Burford, selected in Round 4 of the 2022 NFL Draft out of UTSA, was a starter his first two seasons but then became relegated to a backup role last season, primarily influenced by both injuries and the ascent of 2024 rookie, Dominick Puni.
Fans may recall how Burford was primarily responsible for the whiffed block in the Super Bowl against Kansas City in overtime that negated a golden scoring opportunity.
The hopes Burford might have for starting may have waned, but the versatile lineman still occupies a necessary spot as the go-to option behind both starting tackles.
Assuming Barrows' insight is correct.