Jeremy Fowler continues to release his position-by-position top-10 rankings for ESPN, with the latest focusing on interior offensive linemen. Fowler compiled these lists after surveying nearly 80 league executives, coaches, and scouts. Unfortunately, this newest ranking underscores one of the San Francisco 49ers' biggest offensive weaknesses.
Up to this point, the 49ers have been represented in each ranking—running backs, defensive tackles, edge rushers, safeties, and tight ends. However, the interior offensive linemen list is the first of this year's rankings without a 49ers player. In fact, none were named within the "honorable mentions," nor did any receive a single vote among those surveyed.
While Trent Williams will undoubtedly be among Fowler's top offensive tackles, the rest of the offensive line is viewed as a weakness, one which analysts feel wasn't sufficiently addressed this offseason. The 49ers drafted two offensive linemen, Dominick Puni and Jarrett Kingston, but those additions came in the third and sixth rounds.
According to Pro Football Focus, Jon Feliciano was San Francisco's highest-graded interior offensive lineman, earning an 81.2 mark for his regular-season play last season. Neither Jake Brendel (63.9), Aaron Banks (54.9), nor Spencer Burford (50.4) earned high marks, showing room for improvement.
Brendel's overall grade jumped to 71.2 in the playoffs. However, neither Banks (48.9) nor Burford (54.6) saw significantly better numbers, with Banks allowing a team-high 13 pressures in the postseason.
"Ultimately, San Francisco needs better offensive line play in 2024, and the only significant addition the team made there was third-round pick Dominick Puni," wrote Pro Football Focus analyst Trevor Sikkema in May. "It doesn't feel like San Francisco got better this offseason."
San Francisco will enter the 2024 season with the same offensive line from their 2023 campaign. The unit was good enough to help running back Christian McCaffrey lead the NFL with 1,459 rushing yards, earning him NFL Offensive Player of the Year honors. The group was also good enough to protect quarterback Brock Purdy, who set a single-season franchise record with 4,280 passing yards.