San Francisco 49ers offensive lineman Dominick Puni emerged as one of the team's standout rookies last season, starting every game at right guard and playing 100 percent of the offensive snaps. With a full NFL season now under his belt, Puni believes he can take a significant step forward in Year 2.
The rookie grind wasn't easy. Puni admitted he wasn't fully prepared for the physical and mental toll of a 17-game schedule, and it showed late in the year. After posting a career-best 93.4 offensive grade from Pro Football Focus (PFF) in Week 14, his grades dipped to 63.4 or lower in three of his final four games.
"Mentally, I was a little better, but I needed to be stronger at the end of the year," Puni said.
When asked if he's passed advice to the 49ers' latest rookie class, Puni noted that some lessons can only be learned through experience.
"The vets here did as much as they could, telling me what to expect," Puni said. "But a lot of people have to just learn the hard way, and I think that's what I did. I learned the hard way, but now I know what to expect. I think the rookie wall is a real thing, as much as people don't believe it."
Raising expectations for Year 2
Now heading into his second NFL season, Puni feels better prepared—both physically and mentally. When asked if he expects to be "much better" in Year 2, he didn't hesitate.
"Yes. Yeah, I think I can be much better," Puni said. "You have a good year, and people see what they see, but if you're pretty hard on yourself, and Coach Foerster (offensive line coach Chris Foerster) is a pretty good coach at being hard on us, you see a lot of what you can clean up, and that's what we did in the offseason.
"There's just so much better that could come out of my play. And so, yeah, there can be a big jump, and I'm ready to take it."
Offseason focus: strength and fundamentals
Now in his second NFL training camp, Puni is more confident and no longer second-guessing himself. He approached the offseason with a clear plan to improve.
"Just attacked training, make sure my body's right," Puni said. "Everything that was hurting last year, just make sure I attacked it in the training room and got right with that. And once I felt really good, just lifted. I really pushed myself in the weight room.
"And then cardio, obviously, is a big thing. I showed up at this camp really in shape. I felt like this is the best shape I've been in, so that was huge."
Puni admitted that his offseason training was not easy when he wasn't battling his teammates on the practice field.
"And it's hard to work on the little fundamentals when you're really not playing football," he said. "Like, you're just going against a bag and punching a bag. But I tried, and it's paying off so far. I feel like these last two or three practices, I'm really starting to get back into my groove and starting to feel good again."
Puni's growth could be critical as the 49ers aim to rebound from a brutal 2024 campaign. Year 2 might mark a significant leap for one of San Francisco's most promising young linemen.