The San Francisco 49ers recently debuted the first episode of the latest season of "Brick by Brick," the team's in-house docuseries chronicling training camp and the preseason.
In the episode, linebacker Fred Warner, who was mic'd up during one of the team's practices, pointed out a rookie offensive lineman who has caught his attention—Dominick Puni.
"Hey, you know who can move kind of good is the rookie, 77, Puni," Warner is caught saying to defensive end Nick Bosa. "He can move good, bro. They ran bounce or toss over that way, and I'm trying to run past him, and he was hanging with me. I had to punch to get off him. He's got good size to him, he can move. Obviously, he's young, so he's only going to get stronger."
That rookie can move‼️
Full episode: https://t.co/OE08tnrN4A
Brick by Brick presented by @SAP pic.twitter.com/4Qj76AS1mI
— San Francisco 49ers (@49ers) August 15, 2024
Injuries have given Puni significant reps during training camp, and the rookie has been impressing his teammates and coaches. He might be on track to start Week 1 against the New York Jets.
Puni didn't allow a single pressure during his 14 pass-blocking snaps (25 total snaps) at right guard in the preseason opener against the Tennessee Titans, earning a 74.8 pass-blocking grade from Pro Football Focus. Puni is showing his coaches, teammates, and himself that he can play at the NFL level.
"The more you learn the playbook, the faster you play," Puni told Eric Branch of the San Francisco Chronicle. "And the more you realize, 'Hey, I can play with these guys.'''
Spencer Burford and Jon Feliciano, who shared snaps at the position last season, are currently dealing with injuries. Burford suffered a broken hand, while Feliciano is managing a knee issue, giving Puni the edge for the starting job.
"He's one of the better rookies," offensive line coach and run game coordinator Chris Foerster said of Puni earlier this month. "I'm not ready to crown him yet, as far as one of the better rookies, but he is one of the better rookies. ... Very, very smart. Very tough, strong. He doesn't sway very [much], just steady Eddie, but he works extremely hard, and he's very diligent."
As the regular season rapidly approaches, the rookie offensive lineman appears to be trending upward.