49ers roster 2023: Jaylon Moore has his most vital role to date

After being a fringe player on the 49ers roster the last two years, Jaylon Moore is now poised to hold a critical backup job.

The biggest hit to the San Francisco 49ers offensive line during the 2023 offseason was unquestionably losing right tackle Mike McGlinchey in free agency to the Denver Broncos.

However, equally as worrisome was losing the versatile backup, Daniel Brunskill, as a free agent to the Tennessee Titans.

Brunskill was effectively the No. 1 backup to all five spots and rotated in at right guard in tandem with then-rookie Spencer Burford. However, if either McGlinchey or All-Pro left tackle Trent Williams went down with some sort of elongated injury, Brunskill would easily be called upon.

Now, that job falls upon the shoulders of third-year pro Jaylon Moore.

Moore, the Niners' fifth-round pick in the 2021 NFL Draft out of Western Michigan, had some promise as a versatile backup his rookie season, yet he barely squeaked onto the 53-man roster in year two, which led to some thought that he wouldn't stand a chance entering 2023.

However, in the wake of his five career starts and San Francisco's free-agent losses, moves and rookie transactions, including not using an NFL Draft pick this year on an offensive lineman, Moore is now penciled in as the team's primary backup to Williams and newly crowned starting right tackle Colton McKivitz.

The swing tackle.

What is Jaylon Moore's contract with the 49ers?

If Moore had been waived at any point up to now, his contract would be significantly different than the four-year rookie deal he's currently on.

Entering his third year, Moore could make up to $1.02 million as part of the four-year, $3.803 million contract signed not long after he was drafted back in 2021, according to Over the Cap.

If Moore somehow failed to make the 49ers' 53-man roster and was waived, it'd cost the team $161,518 in dead money.

Is Jaylon Moore guaranteed to be 49ers' primary swing tackle?

Based on snaps and rotations during the first few days of training camp, the Niners fully envision Moore to be the primary option in support of Williams and McKivitz. However, during one practice, Moore suffered a knee injury and required assistance off the field.

The good news? It doesn't appear to be serious, a bone bruise, and Moore should only miss a short amount of time.

It's possible this opens up some competition against Moore for the swing tackle job, perhaps someone like Jon Feliciano, Matt Pryor or Leroy Watson IV winds up gaining ground.

That said, it's still like Moore's job to lose.

As long as Moore doesn't wind up falling onto some sort of injury list, he'll be the swing tackle heading into the 2023 season.

Although San Francisco would probably prefer it if Moore didn't see a meaningful snap over the course of the upcoming year.

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