Look at any estimate for the San Francisco 49ers’ offseason needs, and you’ll find that “offensive line” was at the top of the list. Those within the building might not have agreed with that.The Niners selected guard Dominick Puni in the third round of the draft and acquired Jarrett Kingston in the sixth, skipping out on a top-tier free agent lineman. Rather, they selected cornerback Leonardo Green with a second round pick and receiver Ricky Pearsall with a first round pick.
Chris Foerster, the offensive line coach and run game coordinator, concurs that playmakers should be given priority over linemen.
According to the team’s official transcript, Foerster stated on Wednesday, “This is my personal opinion, if they ask me, invest in guys that touch the ball, guys that can touch the ball and score touchdowns.” “And then there’s a range of guys, second, third, fourth, fifth, even, that we will find starting offensive linemen in.”
The starters Trent Williams, Aaron Banks, Jake Brendel, Jon Feliciano, and Colton McKivitz, are expected to return for the Niners. In exchange for two mid-round picks in 2020, San Francisco obtained Williams. Banks was selected in the second round, Brendel was a former undrafted free agent who had a turbulent career, Feliciano was a cheap 2023 free agent; and McKivitz was selected in the fifth round of the 2020 MLB Draft.
“Are you able to draft them eventually? Indeed, you should draft Trent Williams “… “You select a draft in which a game-changer is included. However, there are players who have the ability to make an impact and who touch the ball deep into the second, third, or fourth rounds, or at the very least, the second and third. Certainly during the initial round. The player who touches the ball has a significant impact on the outcome of the game.
We’ve discussed the importance of the right guard previously, but it’s also where we can find fourth- and fifth round draft picks. In terms of offensive line play, how significant is the gap between choice 34 and pick 54? And you’re always attempting to strike a balance between that.”
The fact that Foerster is currently employed by Kyle Shanahan in a scheme that supports offensive line performance is beneficial. The Niners think they can get good performance from linemen who would not have much success elsewhere.
“Now, there’s a line… there’s a line below that with offensive line play that if you just drop a little bit below it, it’s a gaping hole,” said Foerster. “Suddenly, you’re saying, ‘He can’t block anyone.'” And now we have a serious issue. But you can get through it and take care of them as long as they’re at or slightly over that line. With our system, we have our ways. We may assist guys in a variety of ways by chipping in. The best rusher on the team, double teams, and slide lines. Numerous mechanisms exist to aid with alignment. We have an issue if a player is unable to get open or catch the ball and run. However, offensive line play requires caution. Those six, seven, and eight men who are right on that line or higher are essential. And that is a difficulty.”
According to Foerster, chasing players with game-changing ability who can play the distance, such as Deebo Samuel, increases the risk and difficulty of an offense’s defense.
Could you arrange the front five first-round picks? “I’m not sure that’s necessary for us to succeed,” he remarked. “And in terms of running the football and safeguarding the quarterback, that hasn’t been the case. Because we don’t have five first-round picks, that situation will always exist. However, even if the right tackle is being pressured, you may still send a short pass to Deebo that results in a 60-yard score. Indeed, the right tackle stops someone, but the 60-yard score is lost if the player is tackled at five yards. “That right tackle did an amazing job,” So what if the individual who touched the ball isn’t allowed to bring it inside the house? That trade-off is something you have to do all the time.”
The Niners’ approach to team building is exactly in line with Foerster’s remarks. They will assemble weapons to continue making deep playoff runs and rely on the system to help offset the talent gap.
