49ers roster 2024: Brandon Parker a threat to Colton McKivitz's starting gig

The 49ers signed veteran Brandon Parker during the offseason, and he figures to compete hard with Colton McKivitz to start at right tackle.

For almost all of the offseason, San Francisco 49ers fans and pundits were circling right tackle, namely Colton McKivitz, as an area on the roster that needed a significant upgrade.

In response, the Niners did fairly little to address this apparent need, either suggesting they were comfortable with McKivitz rolling forward or were merely tabling the need until a later time.

However, one under-the-radar pickup could potentially reshuffle the depth chart on the right side of the O-line.

Right at the beginning of the league new year, San Francisco signed 28-year-old offensive tackle Brandon Parker to a one-year deal, worth up to $1.15 million. The contract carries zero in guarantees, though, meaning Parker won't incur any dead money if he fails to make the 49ers' 53-man roster out of training camp.

The 2018 third-round pick of the Oakland Raiders, who spent the better parts of his rookie season and 2021 as a starting right tackle, gave up a combined 18 sacks over those two particular years, according to Pro Football Focus.

So, from that measure, one might not see him as a clear-cut upgrade over McKivitz.

Still, the change in scenery could ultimately be what's needed for Parker to develop into a reliable pass-blocking option after starting 33 of 59 regular-season games to date, potentially one who could rise up the depth chart and challenge the incumbent, McKivitz, for first-team reps during camp.

If anything, especially with his career in a precarious spot, that might be what Parker aims to do right now with the opportunity in place.

Granted, the likelihood of Parker surpassing McKivitz and jumping into a starting job is slim. The 49ers essentially committed to the latter by not eyeing a clear-cut replacement in last April's draft, and the fact Parker doesn't have any guarantees in his contract also suggests he's merely a competition piece and little more.

However, McKivitz might still be wise to acknowledge the fact there's a notable veteran presence looking over his shoulder.

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