San Francisco 49ers rookie Dominick Puni has emerged as a reliable presence along the offensive line in his first NFL season. According to Pro Football Reference, Puni has played 535 snaps this season, accounting for 100% of the 49ers' offensive snap count. He has earned a Pro Football Focus grade of 72.2 or higher in half of his games.
Puni stepped into a starting guard role due to injuries along the offensive line, but he is unlikely to relinquish his spot anytime soon. He appears to be a standout selection in a 49ers draft class that has shone brightly in 2024.
One of Puni's rookie teammates, running back Isaac Guerendo, has also flashed this season. Though he has only 37 carries, he boasts an impressive average of 6.1 yards per attempt and has already recorded four plays of 10 or more yards. Notably, 111 of his 227 total rushing yards have come after contact.
"Isaac has done a phenomenal job," Puni said Tuesday on Bay Area radio station KNBR. "And it's kind of cool because we came in together in the same rookie class, so we've developed a good relationship. We're good friends, too. So I'm real happy to see him doing well.
"I do think he's just given a small sample size of what he can really be. I think he's just starting to figure it out in the offense, and he had that big run [at the end] against Seattle. I think that was kind of his first league moment where he was like, 'All right, now I can play.'
"I think he's freed up a little bit more now. He did a hell of a job in the game (against the Cowboys), and I think he's only going to get better. We love blocking for him, though. ... I think the more reps he gets and the more he learns the offense—I mean, the more opportunity someone gets, you either rise or fall, and I think he's rising right now."
Naturally, Puni was asked about his quarterback, Brock Purdy. Like many of his teammates, he praised the third-year player's poise and leadership. However, what truly stands out to Puni about Purdy is his genuine nature.
"He's a super great teammate," Puni shared. "He's genuine. I remember it was the Jets game (Week 1), he just kept coming up to me. He's like, 'Hey, man, I got your back. We got your back.' I think he said it like five or six times. And I was like, 'Man, he does not have to be telling me this,' but that's just the type of guy he is.
"He's super aware of everything that's going on. Great leader in the huddle, great leader outside. It ain't just about football off the field. He'll talk about anything. I love Brock. Everything he does is just spot on. He works super hard, and he's a great guy to look up to."
You can listen to Puni's entire interview below.
