49ers Offensive Line

Originally posted by Butter:

Originally posted by Scoots:
Right now, and assuming Purdy gets around $55M per, the 2026 cap has about 2/3rds going to just 6 players. It certainly looks like the only position on the line the 49ers want to pay for is LT. There are a couple good LTs who are going to be free agents next year, wouldn't be surprised if one of them ended up by the Bay.

It's all about what they can do with the clutch of unknowns on the roster at the moment.

According to OTC, Trent Williams contract averages $27.5M per year, but counts $21+M against the cap this year, with void year in 2027. He is the highest paid LT in the league, just ahead of D. Ferguson.

IF the Niners strategy is replace all of Trent Williams cap hit with another premier FA LT when he retires someday, then I am much less freaked out about not drafting a rookie LT.

HOWEVER - It is very feasible to draft a starting rookie RT. In the last several years, the FO drafted a need position a year early prepare for the transition. I would be feeling MUCH better if they had drafted a back up / swing RT to give themselves options at RT next year.

Isn't Kolton Miller a FA next season? I know we had interest in him during his draft year and he fits this Shanny offense

I know this goes in the FA thread, but just for kicks

https://www.pff.com/news/nfl-2026-nfl-free-agency-primer-top-10-players-every-position

OT

• Rashawn Slater, Los Angeles Chargers: 90.9
• Zach Tom, Green Bay Packers: 85.8
• Bernhard Raimann, Indianapolis Colts: 85.1
• Kolton Miller, Las Vegas Raiders: 80.6
• Luke Goedeke, Tampa Bay Buccaneers: 74.2
• Taylor Moton, Carolina Panthers: 77.2
• Braxton Jones, Chicago Bears: 77.4
• Rob Havenstein, Los Angeles Rams: 75.8
• Braden Smith, Indianapolis Colts: 65.7
• Jack Conklin, Cleveland Browns: 66.2

At the top of the board sits one of the league's most elite left tackles, Rashawn Slater. While the expectation is that the Chargers will extend Slater, the other 31 teams will be watching closely. Slater's 90.9 PFF overall grade this past season marked the highest of his career and the second highest in the NFL among tackles.

The Colts have built their offensive identity up front and will now face crucial decisions on their future heading into 2025, as Bernhard Raimann and Braden Smith both enter the last year of their deals. Raimann and Smith dealt with medical issues this past season but have been models of consistency, with neither having posted a sub-65.0 PFF overall grade in their careers.

Another name to note is Zach Tom, who has established himself as one of the best run blockers in the game. His 87.8 PFF run-blocking grade ranked this among tackles this past season, his second 80.0-plus mark in his three-year career.

Originally posted by frenchmov:
There is no scenario where purdy is accounting for $55m against the cap next year

It depends on what else is going on. I could see them front loading it as much as is safe.

Originally posted by ritz126:
ya they just dont want to overpay for OL its different if they are goated

OL is rough around the nfl as a whole so if an average one (Banks McGlinchey, mckivitz) they get paid like top OL despite being average so i can see 49ers not wanting to match that price.

Just like this year was all about the DL and stopping the run D i see next years draft as all about OL

Lynchahan doesn't want to spend high draft capital without getting a starter in return ... and they are not going to pay a 2nd contract for an OL who is not a flat stud. I doubt they go too heavy on OL in a single draft based on how they want to pay to keep them. That said if a player they love is there in one of the early rounds they'll take them quick, but they might then pass on one in the next round even if they are at the top of their list. I think their goal is to deal with cheap churn on the line.

Puni may well move left a few spots when Trent finally falls off or retires because he has the best shot at being special and they'll pay 1 OL real money.

Originally posted by Cisco0623:
Exactly. Kyle and his dad drafted TW back in 2010. To bad he hasn't done that here lol

Really I'm amazed they continue to ride with Brendel. He will hold this team back yet again.

They have had what 4 guys practice at C in the last couple years and keep coming back to Brendell. I hope someone finally beats him this year.

Originally posted by Cisco0623:

Originally posted by ritz126:

Originally posted by Scoots:

Originally posted by Cisco0623:
Maybe, but I don't see them using FA for a LT as it would be extremely expensive. That does not fit their m o. They will draft a few and hope one hits.

Right, it was really great when the 49ers drafted Trent Williams, and so nice of him to keep taking those tiny contracts.

ya they just dont want to overpay for OL its different if they are goated

OL is rough around the nfl as a whole so if an average one (Banks McGlinchey, mckivitz) they get paid like top OL despite being average so i can see 49ers not wanting to match that price.

Just like this year was all about the DL and stopping the run D i see next years draft as all about OL

Exactly. Kyle and his dad drafted TW back in 2010. To bad he hasn't done that here lol

Really I'm amazed they continue to ride with Brendel. He will hold this team back yet again.

The fact that Washington had the 4th overall pick in the year that Trent came out had a lot to do with Mike and Kyle talking him. I'm sure if there was a player similar to Trent in the 2017 draft (the last time that the Niners had a pick in that range) they would have considered that position, although we still had Joe Staley at that time.

Originally posted by GorefullBore:
The fact that Washington had the 4th overall pick in the year that Trent came out had a lot to do with Mike and Kyle talking him. I'm sure if there was a player similar to Trent in the 2017 draft (the last time that the Niners had a pick in that range) they would have considered that position, although we still had Joe Staley at that time.

but i mean we did pick McGlinchey in top 10. We picked Banks 2nd round when we needed a LG starter

I think they arent going to take someone in first 2 rounds they dont see as an immediate contributor. OL isnt a position where its rotated like pretty much every other position apart from QB. I think 49ers saw this year as the OL set for the most part past few years

I am not saying i necessarily agree with this but i do understand it. They just saw more immediate needs at other positions because i know we do complain about our OL a lot and i would loive a top OL but i mean i would say we have been average overall

If going from suck azz to mediocre/average is a slight improvement, then I guess the center position (Brendel) will be a teeny bit better I think this is the only year he has some real competition (Hennessy) in the offseason to push him so we'll see

McK slightly improves every year so maybe he is slightly above average and performs even better this year?

Trent coming back fully healthy and Puni in 2nd year sounds sounds awesome, but LG and depth could be worrisome. Camp and preseason will say a lot, but the truth comes out in the regular season. We'll see

Originally posted by pillageDatazz:
If going from suck azz to mediocre/average is a slight improvement, then I guess the center position (Brendel) will be a teeny bit better I think this is the only year he has some real competition (Hennessy) in the offseason to push him so we'll see

McK slightly improves every year so maybe he is slightly above average and performs even better this year?

Trent coming back fully healthy and Puni in 2nd year sounds sounds awesome, but LG and depth could be worrisome. Camp and preseason will say a lot, but the truth comes out in the regular season. We'll see

There are like 5 guys on the roster who have taken snaps at C at some point, but they will probably come back to Brendel anyhow. It's like the team wants him replaced too but he has something on Kyle that keeps him the job.

Brendel
Hennessey
Nugent
Zakelj
Moss

Originally posted by Butter:
I know this goes in the FA thread, but just for kicks

https://www.pff.com/news/nfl-2026-nfl-free-agency-primer-top-10-players-every-position

OT

• Rashawn Slater, Los Angeles Chargers: 90.9
• Zach Tom, Green Bay Packers: 85.8
• Bernhard Raimann, Indianapolis Colts: 85.1
• Kolton Miller, Las Vegas Raiders: 80.6
• Luke Goedeke, Tampa Bay Buccaneers: 74.2
• Taylor Moton, Carolina Panthers: 77.2
• Braxton Jones, Chicago Bears: 77.4
• Rob Havenstein, Los Angeles Rams: 75.8
• Braden Smith, Indianapolis Colts: 65.7
• Jack Conklin, Cleveland Browns: 66.2

At the top of the board sits one of the league's most elite left tackles, Rashawn Slater. While the expectation is that the Chargers will extend Slater, the other 31 teams will be watching closely. Slater's 90.9 PFF overall grade this past season marked the highest of his career and the second highest in the NFL among tackles.

The Colts have built their offensive identity up front and will now face crucial decisions on their future heading into 2025, as Bernhard Raimann and Braden Smith both enter the last year of their deals. Raimann and Smith dealt with medical issues this past season but have been models of consistency, with neither having posted a sub-65.0 PFF overall grade in their careers.

Another name to note is Zach Tom, who has established himself as one of the best run blockers in the game. His 87.8 PFF run-blocking grade ranked this among tackles this past season, his second 80.0-plus mark in his three-year career.

Thanks - good post!

Originally posted by Scoots:

Originally posted by pillageDatazz:
If going from suck azz to mediocre/average is a slight improvement, then I guess the center position (Brendel) will be a teeny bit better I think this is the only year he has some real competition (Hennessy) in the offseason to push him so we'll see

McK slightly improves every year so maybe he is slightly above average and performs even better this year?

Trent coming back fully healthy and Puni in 2nd year sounds sounds awesome, but LG and depth could be worrisome. Camp and preseason will say a lot, but the truth comes out in the regular season. We'll see

There are like 5 guys on the roster who have taken snaps at C at some point, but they will probably come back to Brendel anyhow. It's like the team wants him replaced too but he has something on Kyle that keeps him the job.

Brendel
Hennessey
Nugent
Zakelj
Moss

real talk lol, what else can it be...

I just hope this dude puts on more muscle / strength and doesn't get pushed around, that alone would be a huge improvement

Originally posted by DRCHOWDER:

Donte Whitner believes the 49ers Super Bowl window is closing due to the FO not addressing the weaknesses on the offensive line this offseason

🎥: @UpAndAdamsShow | @heykayadams pic.twitter.com/R7VW80vpic

— Coach Yac 🗣 (@Coach_Yac) May 21, 2025

Next years draft and FA needs to be looking at future LT and C.

Originally posted by Hoovtrain:
Next years draft and FA needs to be looking at future LT and C.

LT maybe, definitely not going to go looking to spend even moderate money at C.

Originally posted by Scoots:

Originally posted by Hoovtrain:
Next years draft and FA needs to be looking at future LT and C.

LT maybe, definitely not going to go looking to spend even moderate money at C.

Not sure about that. They've shown they will shell out big money for a quality FA C. But looking at the 26 list, it's not very good unless linderbaum makes it, which I doubt. But do think the most likely path is the draft for various reasons