Most fans probably think the 49ers boast a bottom-10 offensive line, but Pro Football Focus' analysis suggests the exact opposite.
If one had to list the No. 1 priority for the San Francisco 49ers to address this upcoming offseason, the offensive line certainly would be a top contender, perhaps only outdone by finding more defensive line help.
Indeed, Niner Noise's latest mock NFL Draft tabbed more than just one O-lineman to San Francisco in April of 2025.
Outside of future Hall of Fame left tackle Trent Williams, and rookie upstart right guard Dominick Puni, most see the 49ers O-line as a major liability amid the team's 5-5 start to the season, a group that hasn't allowed the run game to be as dominant as it was early this year and has subjected quarterback Brock Purdy to unnecessary pressure.
However, data and analysis from the folks over at Pro Football Focus suggests otherwise.
Pro Football Focus actually feels 49ers O-line is... very good
Without looking, most probably would conclude the Niners boast a bottom-10 O-line after 11 weeks, perhaps bolstered a little bit by Williams and Puni but made a liability by everyone else, especially right tackle Colton McKivitz.
But McKivitz has surprisingly improved over the course of the year, per PFF, and this trend seems to encompass a rather shocking ranking when compared to 31 other teams.
Colton McKivitz among OTs in Week 11:
— PFF SF 49ers (@PFF_49ers) November 19, 2024
⛏️ 84.8 PFF grade (4th)
⛏️ 90.3 run-blocking grade (2nd)
⛏️ 36 pass-blocking snaps
⛏️ 1 pressure allowed pic.twitter.com/B8Og0xKRYH
As a unit, PFF's analysis listed San Francisco's O-line not in the bottom 10 or even in the bottom half of all 32 teams.
No, this group is within the top 10, at No. 9, specifically:
"Although the 49ers lost to the Seahawks, San Francisco’s offensive line played one of the best games of its season, especially in pass blocking. The unit did not allow a single sack or quarterback hit and surrendered just six hurries on 36 pass plays, leading to a 91.7 PFF pass-blocking efficiency rating that tied for fifth best this week.
Guard Dominick Puni has earned an 80.8 PFF overall grade this season. The highest grade recorded by a rookie over the past five seasons was 73.6 in 2021 (Kansas City’s Trey Smith)."
Wait, what?
Of course, PFF analysis should always be taken with a proverbial grain of salt. It's not a perfect measure by any means, and the O-line could still stand for upgrades over McKivitz and center Jake Brendel while looking for a likely replacement for soon-to-be free-agent left guard Aaron Banks, too.
And then there's the big picture.
It's probably fair to suggest the 49ers' biggest problem on offense isn't the O-line, despite many a simple conclusion pointing toward such. Indeed, the Niners still rank toward the top in most offensive categories, effectively undone by a shoddy red-zone touchdown ranking (26th in the league).
Blaming the O-line for the Niners' woes this season appears to be a bit shortsighted.