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The offensive line for the San Francisco 49ers hasn't been a huge focus for the team since Kyle Shanahan arrived as the head coach in 2017.
In fact, the team has only drafted two offensive lineman within the first four rounds of the draft over the past five years: RT Mike McGlinchey in 2018 and G Aaron Banks this year in the second round.
However, the team has made significant strides in other moves to improve the offensive line, trading a third and a fifth round pick for star LT Trent Williams during last year's draft before signing him to an extension this offseason, and picking up Alex Mack as the starting center this offseason as well.
With Shanahan's run/play-action oriented offense, a strong offensive line is necessary to work both the edges and the interior when moving up the field.
With the new additions, is this the best offensive line of the coach's NFL career?
"Yeah, I do believe so," Shanahan told Greg Papa this past week during a feature for NBC Sports Bay Area. "I mean, we've got to go out there and do it, but going into this season, as far as both of our edges, both of our guards, and our center -- I think we've got some good backups, some veterans and some young rookies, who can help too. So, I feel great going into this season."
A key aspect of this offensive line is that the team has experience both playing together and with the system, as Alex Mack played with Shanahan during the coach's Atlanta Falcon days.
"Most of our guys have played together. I know Alex [Mack] is new, but he also knows the system pretty well. So, he fit in the first day very well. The experience that [Daniel] Brunskill has had everywhere. Laken [Tomlinson] just being there every week for a number of years.
"And everyone knows about Trent [Williams] and Mike [McGlinchey], what he's gone through in these three years, getting better each year, and I love how he's looking now that I can't wait to see him this year."
This new-and-improved offensive line sets to take the field Sunday, with all five starters healthy, and will look to be the building block of the 49ers's offense for this upcoming season, regardless of who is at quarterback.
While most expect the San Francisco 49ers to target an offensive lineman with their first-round pick, NFL Media lead draft writer Eric Edholm has the team going in another direction with the No. 31 overall pick. In his final mock draft of the year, Edholm has the team selecting former Illinois defensive tackle Jer'Zhan Newton, who also goes by "Johnny."
"If you're worried Newton's skill set overlaps too much with that of Javon Hargrave, consider that Hargrave is set to hit the salary cap at more than $28 million in the 2025 season -- when he'll be 32 years old," Edholm explained. "As a relentless scheme-wrecker, Newton would help alleviate the
Breaking down the 49ers drafts under John Lynch and Kyle Shanahan
By Marc Adams
Apr 20
We are less than one week away from the NFL Draft, and the San Francisco 49ers have their first day-one draft pick since 2021. That was the year they selected QB Trey Lance number three overall. The trade-up to get Lance cost the 49ers their first-round picks in 2022 and 2023. And now that they are back in the first round, at pick 31, fans are anxious to see what the team does with the pick. And with former assistant GM, Adam Peters, now in Washington, it will be interesting to see how well the 49ers draft without Peters in the room.
We looked back at the seven drafts GM John Lynch and Head Coach Kyle Shanahan have led to see what information we could pull from those drafts. There were plenty of hits, plenty of misses, and a few surprises along the way. The draft picks are
Brock Purdy hopes Kyle Shanahan makes addition to 49ers playbook
By David Bonilla
Apr 16
San Francisco 49ers quarterback Brock Purdy threw for a franchise-record 4,280 yards last season, leading the team to the Super Bowl and earning his first Pro Bowl selection. He held onto the football 39 times on the ground, rushing for 144 yards and scoring twice. This marked a significant improvement over his rookie 2022 campaign when he had 22 carries for 13 yards and a score.
Purdy further displayed his athleticism during the 49ers' playoff game against the Detroit Lions last season, helping engineer a comeback victory while rushing for 48 yards on five carries.
On Tuesday morning, Purdy joined the "Pat McAfee Show," acknowledging that he believes he can contribute more rushing yards if called upon. However, that decision rests with head coach Kyle Shanahan,
Why one analyst is worried for Brock Purdy if 49ers trade Brandon Aiyuk
By David Bonilla
Apr 18
San Francisco 49ers quarterback Brock Purdy achieved a remarkable feat in 2023, setting a single-season franchise record with 4,280 passing yards. This accomplishment is noteworthy, considering the illustrious quarterbacks who have graced the organization's history.
A significant portion of those yards came from wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk, who amassed a career-high and team-leading 1,342 receiving yards. Most of his 75 catches originated from passes thrown by Purdy.
Amidst significant offseason chatter surrounding the 49ers' star receiver, including several unsubstantiated trade rumors, Aiyuk's future remains uncertain. Former NFL player James Jones, now an analyst, expressed concern for Purdy should Aiyuk's tenure in the Bay Area come to an end.
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