placeholder image

Stan Szeto-USA TODAY Sports


49ers’ O-line coach considers Joshua Garnett a ‘legitimate’ contender for a starting job

Jun 17, 2019 at 10:28 AM--


Videos are auto-populated by an affiliate. This site has no control over the videos that appear above.
ESPN just named guard Joshua Garnett as a San Francisco 49ers veteran who could be cut before the start of the season. Should that happen, most would view his selection as a first-round pick in 2016 as a significant blunder by the team.

A mistake from 2016 is not really the current regime's concern since that was a different general manager calling the shots. However, it is an unfortunate look considering the team has already moved on from one of its first-round selections the next year, linebacker Reuben Foster. The other, defensive lineman Solomon Thomas, has yet to develop into the player the 49ers hoped for when the team made him its No. 3 overall pick.

49ers offensive line coach John Benton is confident that Garnett, despite an injury history, is a legitimate contender for a starting guard job.

"Josh is a legitimate, 100 percent contender," Benton recently told David Lombardi of The Athletic. "He'll get every opportunity again. He's just had such bad luck with injury. None have been too serious, but they last a legitimate amount of time."

Garnett has something to prove as he enters the final year of his four-year rookie contract. The 49ers opted against picking up his fifth-year option so 2019 — maybe even this offseason — is a make-or-break situation for the offensive lineman.

Garnett started 11 games during his rookie year in 2016 but then missed all of 2017 after landing on injured reserve with a knee injury just before the start of the season. He played in just 59 offensive snaps last season.

"Josh has had a good offseason this year, and he'll be given every opportunity to win a job there," Benton continued.

Garnett will need to beat out Mike Person, and he had an opportunity to prove himself during the 49ers' offseason program. Person was receiving snaps at center with Weston Richburg sidelined until at least training camp; possibly longer. Garnett filled in at right guard with the first-team offense.

The coaching staff, including Benton, feels Garnett is talented. He's just had trouble staying healthy. Garnett started to impress during last year's preseason games, but he dislocated his toe during Week 1 of the regular season and, once healthy, was never able to pry the job away from Person.

While Garnett showed flashes as a run-blocker during the preseason last year, he really shined in his pass blocking during the regular season, according to Pro Football Focus. While the analytics site's grades should be used as an added metric and never a complete analysis of a player's on-field play — especially an offensive lineman — Garnett's pass-blocking grade was on par with both Person and Laken Tomlinson.

"He's a talented guy, and it's a shame he's had to battle through these hardships," Benton added. "He's one of our most explosive guys, along with the athleticism, so I would love to see Josh put together a string and make a run at winning one of those jobs."



Facebook Comments



More San Francisco 49ers News


placeholder image

5 things to know about new 49ers QB Joshua Dobbs

By Kirk Larrabee
2 hrs

Joshua Dobbs became the latest addition to the San Francisco 49ers' quarterback room after agreeing to a one-year contract with the team on Monday. Dobbs, 28, has 2,920 passing yards in 21 games (14 starts) with 15 touchdowns and 13 interceptions in seven NFL seasons. He also has 91 carries for 496 yards and six rushing touchdowns and a 3-11 record overall as a starter. Dobbs comes to 49ers as a well-traveled NFL veteran who most recently was with the Minnesota Vikings. But Dobbs isn't any ordinary NFL quarterback. Let's take a look at what to know about him as he begins his time with the 49ers. The Joshua Dobbs "world tour" reaches San Francisco The 49ers are Dobbs' eighth team since joining the NFL as a fourth-round draft pick of


placeholder image

49ers mailbag: What are the latest free agency moves? Could Arik Armstead still return to SF? Who will be the second starting DT?

By Marc Adams
Mar 13

As we move into the new NFL year, the San Francisco 49ers have been making moves. There have been new additions to the team, and there have been departures. You can keep up with the latest 49ers roster changes here at 49ers Webzone. So far, the 49ers have added: DT Jordan Elliott (Browns, 2-yr, $10M) DE Leonard Floyd (Bills, 2-yr, $20M) LB Eric Kendricks (Chargers, 1-yr) DE Yetur Gross-Matos (Panthers, 2-yr, $18M) DT Maliek Collins (trade with Texans) I can't help but notice that all these players are on defense. Does this mean the 49ers will go heavy on offense during the draft? Perhaps. We'll see how the rest


placeholder image

Silver: 49ers seek starting safety, explored Joey Bosa options

By David Bonilla
Mar 14

The San Francisco 49ers have been active in the first week of free agency, but their work isn't done yet. After narrowly missing out on a Super Bowl victory last season, the team knows it owns a championship-caliber roster and believes a few strategic adjustments could make all the difference. According to Michael Silver of the San Francisco Chronicle, the 49ers looked into strengthening their defensive backfield on Thursday, aiming to secure a potential starting safety and possibly a cornerback. "With the safety market somewhat oversaturated, the Niners might be able to land a big name such as Justin Simmons (four


placeholder image

Mock Draft 4.0: 49ers address interior D-line early

By Wayne P. Brown
Mar 16

Things will change as the rest of free agency plays out. However, this mock draft tries to address the San Francisco 49ers' key needs and doesn't rely heavily on the moves that have already been made this week—just yet. This mock draft was created without heavily factoring in the trade for defensive tackle Maliek Collins, so it still includes 11 selections. Another mock draft reflecting the most recent roster changes is coming soon. Round 1, Pick 31 DT Byron Murphy II, Texas Although the 49ers addressed the defensive tackle position in free agency, Byron Murphy II may be the best player at the 31. Murphy II's quick burst and get-off makes him one of the most dangerous defensive tackles in the draft. He will impact the


Latest

Trending News

Share 49ersWebzone