The draft filled in many gaps, but what group still needs some work?
The NFL draft is centered on filling current and future needs for NFL teams. The San Francisco 49ers found themselves in a position of drafting for the current roster with eyes to the future rather than down-the-line development for their draftees. The new rookie class will learn on the fly, which isn’t a bad thing. The Los Angeles Rams and Buffalo Bills both employed similar strategies with positive results. John Lynch highlighted both plans in his interview with Chris Simms as the blueprint for the 49ers to retool the roster.
The position group under the most fire heading into 2025 for the 49ers has to be the offensive line. Trent Williams is in the twilight of his career, Aaron Banks signed a massive extension with Green Bay, leaving a vacancy at left guard, and Jake Brendel is still the starting center. Dominick Puni was excellent in his first year, and Colton McKivitz is still a serviceable right tackle.
But what is the 49ers’ biggest remaining need?
The 49ers did little to add depth or new faces to their offensive line group, specifically on the interior. They have a gem in Dominick Puni, who was a fantastic starter as a rookie last season, earning an 81.9 PFF overall grade. But Jake Brendel recorded a 67.9 mark at center, and with Aaron Banks gone, Ben Bartch will have to step up at the other guard spot as things stand.
Left guard is interesting because Bartch feels like the placeholder right now, but the 49ers added Conner Colby from Iowa and Drew Moss from Colorado State to compete with Bartch. Spencer Burford will likely back up Williams at his college position of left tackle and has experience at left guard.
The 49ers did add depth at the tackle positions, adding D.J. Humphries, Andre Dillard, and Nicholas Petit-Frere. As far as the center position, Nick Zakelj and Matt Hennessy could push Brendel for the starting spot. Austin Pleasants is hanging around also.
The locks for the offensive line to start are Williams, Puni, and McKivitz. Brendel has the support of Kyle Shanahan and OL coach Chris Foerster, so he’s as close to a lock as there is, barring something unforeseen. Left guard gets interesting with the 49ers being able to hold a full-fledged competition in training camp.