With the 49ers placing Ben Bartch on the NFI list, there could be a window for Connor Colby and Drew Moss to compete to start.
The 49ers announced several injury designations ahead of training camp on Friday, with one surprise name being that of offensive lineman Ben Bartch.
Bartch, the favorite to start at left guard in 2025 following the departure of Aaron Banks in free agency, was placed on the non-football injury list.
San Francisco did not disclose what Bartch’s injury is. However, if it’s one that keeps him out of practice for several weeks, it could present an opportunity for two under-the-radar rookies.
There is a lot of pressure on the 49ers’ 2025 draft class to deliver. Most of that falls on the shoulders of the defensive draft picks taken across the first three rounds, as they are expected to quickly slot in to the starting lineup.
Because of the emphasis on those defensive draft picks to turn around a unit that endured a significant dip in 2024, and the lack of scrutiny that comes with being selected late or going undrafted, there is little attention on seventh-round pick Connor Colby or UDFA Drew Moss.
Yet with Bartch’s injury could come a chance for that duo to make a big impression.
Spencer Burford will likely get the first-team reps in Bartch’s absence, while Nick Zakelj could also be in the mix. However, Zakelj has started just two games in his career — with both of those starts coming as injuries derailed the O-Line late last year.
Burford is still well liked by the 49er coaching staff despite failing to nail down the starting right guard job since being drafted in 2022 and committing a key protection error in overtime in Super Bowl 58.
But he does not have so much credit in the bank that he would be a guaranteed starter in the event of a long-term absence for Bartch, and he is just as likely to be a contender for the swing tackle job as he is for the left guard role. Burford played snaps at tackle towards the end of last season.
As such, with strong performances at camp in Bartch’s absence, Colby and Moss could elevate themselves into a position whereby they would be in the conversation to start.
Having spent his college career at Iowa, Colby is well-versed in the zone blocking scheme that remains the foundation of the 49er run game.
Colby allowed only seven sacks in four seasons with the Hawkeyes. In 2024, he ranked ninth among guards in the 2025 draft with at least 200 run blocking snaps in Pro Football Focus run block grade.
Yet there’s an argument to be made that Colorado State product Moss is the better prospect. He ranked second in run block grade in 2024 and allowed only two sacks in as many seasons with Colorado State after transferring from Lamar.
The 49ers hit on one guard prospect last year in third-rounder Dominick Puni, who right now looks to be the long-term answer at right guard. They made a questionable decision in waiving sixth-rounder Jarrett Kingston after an impressive preseason, with the Carolina Panthers preventing San Francisco from signing him to the practice squad.
In Colby and Moss, the 49ers have two intriguing under-the-radar prospects whose play in college suggests they are worthy of attention in training camp. If Bartch is on the shelf for an extended period, they may have a window to compete to be an unexpected solution at left guard.