49ers roster 2024: Jarrett Kingston can fill a vital role on O-line (eventually)

The 49ers used a sixth-round NFL Draft pick on USC lineman Jarrett Kingston, who should aim to be a key rotational backup.

One of the bonuses of the 2024 NFL Draft was just how deep and talented the offensive line class was.

The San Francisco 49ers didn't tap into this pool early, opting to grab two linemen, Kansas' Dominick Puni and USC's Jarrett Kingston, on days two and three of the draft, respectively. But the Niners nevertheless hope both players can fill vital roles on the depth chart within the not-so-distant future.

Puni, a third-round selection, could start as soon as this year.

Kingston, picked up in Round 6 at No. 215 overall, likely has a much longer path toward any prominent role. But it's a challenge he should elect to take.

What are Jarrett Kingston's strengths and weaknesses?

More of a zone-style lineman, the transfer out of Washington State played a number of positions during his collegiate tenure, including starts at both tackle spots and at guard.

Versatility is key, particularly among backups, and Kingston has a reputation of being a tough and feisty blocker over his six collegiate seasons. That experience bodes well for him, too.

While Kingston has a decent body type at 6-foot-4 and 306 pounds, his short arms could potentially get him into some trouble against bigger, stronger defensive linemen, and his run-blocking abilities could use some work, too.

What are 49ers hoping to get out of Jarrett Kingston?

Back in Round 5 of the 2020 draft, San Francisco selected lineman Colton McKivitz, who was eventually groomed into being a full-time starter at right tackle.

That's certainly the kind of ceiling the 49ers would love to see with Kingston, but the more realistic hope would be for him to serve as a primary backup who'd be capable of supporting a variety of spots along the O-line, not unlike former Niners lineman Daniel Brunskill from some years ago.

Kingston might face a stiff battle to assert himself high up on the depth chart his rookie year. But a number of San Francisco linemen are poised to hit free agency in 2025, including Aaron Banks, Jon Feliciano and Jaylon Moore, opening up the door for Kingston to be in a more prominent spot a year from now.

That'd allow the rookie, who grew up a Los Angeles Rams fan, to develop slowly without the pressure of being pushed too deeply into a niche he's not quite ready for.

Provided he's strong enough to make the 53-man roster in year one, of course.

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