The San Francisco 49ers have plenty of question marks on the eve of their 2025 regular-season opener against the Seattle Seahawks.
One of them, of course, is how well their crop of rookie defensive linemen -- Mykel Williams, Alfred Collins and C.J. West -- will fare in their first real challenge at the pro level.
Fortunately for the Niners, the Hawks offensive line doesn't exactly pose a serious threat.
Last June, the folks over at Pro Football Focus ranked Seattle's O-line 30th out of 32 teams, and this ranking included the Round 1 NFL Draft selection of North Dakota State guard Grey Zabel, who may help matters to a point but won't exactly transform what's been an underwhelming unit for years into a top group.
Of the ranking, PFF said:
"There is not much to suggest that the Seahawks won't again field a bottom-tier offensive line.
Seattle used its first-round pick on Grey Zabel, who is projected to start at left guard. However, a rookie who played at the FCS level last season is unlikely to provide a significant upgrade to a unit that allowed the second-highest pressure rate in 2024 (34.5%)."
Tackles Charles Cross and Abraham Lucas do bring some respectability to the Seahawks O-line, yet the interior is still very much a worry point despite Zabel's presence.
One figures San Francisco will fully try to exploit the rookie, as well as center Jalen Sundell and right guard Anthony Bradford in Week 1.
49ers should feast on Seahawks O-line in passing situations
Granted, much of the 49ers' pending pass-rushing success hinges on coordinator Robert Saleh's ability to get his defense to stop the run, which one figures to play a critical part in Hawks offensive coordinator Klint Kubiak's attack. Running back Kenneth Walker III is just as big an X-factor as the pass-rushing potential of someone like Williams.
That said, the true advantage for the Niners resides in those 3rd-and-long situations, ones that'll inevitably surface if Walker is held in check.
Williams displayed a better knack for rushing on the inside upon entry to the NFL, and it'd make sense for Saleh to deploy this strength while allowing veteran rushers like Nick Bosa and Bryce Huff to attack from the edges.
But the biggest X-factor for San Francisco might not be Bosa, Huff or even Williams. Rather, it's possible West earns that nod and emerges as a key rookie to watch.
The 49ers eyed the nose tackle not just as a two-down run-stopping interior defender but also a potential third-down pass-rusher from the inside, using his 6-foot-1 and 315-pound frame for good leverage to disrupt the tandem of Sundell and Bradford.
That's an advantage the Niners would prefer to exploit.
From Seattle's perspective, avoiding those 3rd-and-long situations would be ideal in order to protect quarterback Sam Darnold from extra pressure while keeping San Francisco's inexperienced defensive linemen from guessing the play.
However, when faced with pass-rushing situations, the advantage is notably in the 49ers' favor.
The Niners and Seahawks kick off on Sunday, Sept. 7 at 4:05 p.m. ET.