Amid all that went wrong for the San Francisco 49ers last season, Dominick Puni wound up being a massive find. He was not a projected starter entering training camp, but injuries to John Feliciano and Spencer Burford led to opportunity knocking and the 2024 third-round pick answered.
It's an understatement to say Puni simply answered the call when opportunity struck last season. He started all 17 games and played every offensive snap at right guard for the 49ers, and he earned the sixth-best overall grade among guards from Pro Football Focus (80.5). His 81.5 run blocking grade was also sixth-best among guards, as he proved to be perfect for Kyle Shanahan's zone-based run scheme.
General manager John Lynch called Puni the blueprint for how the 49ers' offensive line should be built. In time, he may be the best offensive lineman on the team while asserting himself as a leader.
A closer look, with some spotlight on seeming to hit a bit of a "rookie wall" late last season, shows room for Puni to get better in Year 2.
Pro Football Focus sees another level for Dominick Puni in 2025
Dalton Wasserman of Pro Football Focus went position-by-position to highlight a player who could become the best at that position in 2025. At guard, he chose Puni.
"Puni was a revelation for the 49ers last season, finishing with the sixth-best overall grade among qualified guards at 80.5. A major factor in that success was his effectiveness in Kyle Shanahan’s outside zone scheme — his 82.1 outside zone run-blocking grade ranked fifth among all guards."
"With another year of development in Shanahan’s system, both as a run blocker and pass protector, Puni could soon challenge for the top spot at the position. Atlanta’s Chris Lindstrom has held that title for the past three seasons as the NFL’s highest-graded guard. It won’t be easy to unseat him, but if any young player is positioned to do it, it might be Puni."
Immediate and/or long-term, the 49ers have a level of question at four of five positions along the offensive line. But Puni stepped up to hold down the right guard spot last year, and he's not leaving that spot anytime soon as the uncertainty around him sorts itself out.