One of the primary reasons why offensive tackle Jaylon Moore managed to ink a lucrative free-agent deal with the Kansas City Chiefs back in the 2025 offseason was because he adequately filled in for San Francisco 49ers All-Pro left tackle Trent Williams.
Few noticed Moore during that five-game stretch of starts in 2025, which is about as good a thing possible for an unheralded lineman. And Moore subsequently got paid as a result.
Entering 2026, the Niners haven't clearly established a primary backup for Williams and right tackle Colton McKivitz just yet. Rookie Enrique Cruz Jr. is in the mix, as is veteran Brandon Parker. But if continuity means anything, head coach Kyle Shanahan could turn to the relatively unknown lineman, Austen Pleasants as a reserve go-to swing tackle.
And it might be an inevitable move, too.
Austen Pleasants might have inside track to claim 49ers' swing tackle gig
Cruz might be the long-term hopeful, yet the athletic-but-raw prospect might need a year-ish of development before being relied upon in any sort of meaningful capacity.
It might be meaningful, too. Williams has missed at least one start in each of his San Francisco campaigns, dating back to 2020, including a seven-game absence in 2024 amid injuries. Turning 38 years old this summer won't help matters either.
Pleasants, meanwhile, was something of a go-to for the 49ers depth last season, appearing in 15 games and even getting a start. And even though the bulk of his snaps were on special teams, the continuity of keeping him in a primary reserve role might be what Shanahan opts to do.
Provided Pleasants doesn't lose out in the training camp competition to a younger hopeful like Cruz.
Should he, the Niners have zero committed to Pleasants in guaranteed money, meaning he'd be an easy roster cut, come September. And he's on the roster at a veteran's minimum anyway, meaning his addition would be of an extreme low-cost variety.
Either way, assuming Williams misses more time in 2026, and Pleasants finds a way to hang around, San Francisco fans may soon wind up knowing the latter's name a lot more over the course of the season.
As was the case with Moore two years ago.
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