No other position group took more heat last season, but how good were they in 2024?
If you’re looking for the position group most criticized for the San Francisco 49ers, look no further than the offensive line. A miscommunication between Spencer Burford (filling in for Jon Feliciano) and Colton McKivitz on third down in the red zone against Kansas City replays in many fans’ minds as one of the most pivotal moments in Las Vegas.
Last season, Brock Purdy was on the move more than ever, avoiding pressure and picking up yards with his legs. How much of that was the offensive line? Did the 49ers’ receivers create enough separation? Was Purdy holding the ball too long?
The answer is different for each play. However, all three played a part in the 49ers’ pressure rates allowed in 2024. Sometimes, the 49ers’ line got beat, and other times, receivers weren’t open. And sometimes, Purdy turned down the underneath checkdown option for a longer developing route.
But just where did the 49ers’ offensive line rank in 2024?
Zoltán Buday tackled that very question, ranking all 32 units from 2024.
Depending on who you ask, the 49ers’ offensive line is a bottom-half unit. I’d argue they are a middle-of-the-pack group. Buday agrees, ranking the 49ers at number 13.
At some point, the 49ers’ offensive line looked better than in recent seasons. However, losing its best player in left tackle Trent Williams set the unit back, and it struggled in the last month of the regular season.
The 49ers might have found a future star in rookie right guard Dominick Puni, whom they selected in the third round of the 2024 NFL Draft. Puni played the most snaps on the offensive line (1,078), started all 17 games, and earned an 80.5 PFF overall grade, which ranked seventh among all guards.
Best player: Trent Williams
While Williams’ 85.6 PFF overall grade was his lowest since 2018, it was still the sixth-highest grade among offensive tackles this season.
The lineup of Williams, Aaron Banks, Jake Brendel, Puni, and McKivitz isn’t an elite group, even if Williams is, but it was far from one of the worst in the NFL.
The frustration from 49ers fans comes from the lack of high-end offensive linemen in the first round of the draft. Given the investment of money for McKivitz, the team is getting a high return on investment for the right tackle.
Banks signed a lucrative contract with the Green Bay Packers, leaving an open spot at left guard. McKivitz will likely sign a nice contract somewhere else next offseason. Williams is in the twilight of his career, and how much longer can the team depend on journeyman Brendel at center?
Next year, the 49ers’ offensive line will look drastically different.
The 49ers offensive line took a lot of heat in 2024, but they aren’t nearly as bad as some would lead to believe. However, fans are right to push for improvement from the group. Protecting the franchise quarterback should be priority number one, two, and three moving forward.