Can Jon Feliciano Solidify the Right Side of the 49ers Offensive Line?

One of the weakest spots on the 49ers is by far the entire right side of the offensive line.

Right tackle Colton McKivitz and right guard Spencer Burford are complete liabilities. There isn't much they do that is remotely impressive aside from whiffing blocks. McKivitz is likely to remain as the starter since the options to replace him at right tackle aren't there.

At right guard, however, there is an option for a replacement. It is in the form of veteran Jon Feliciano who is coming off his first start of the season at left guard. He filled in for Aaron Banks who was nursing a toe injury, and he performed quite admirably. That's more than you can say about Burford who Pro Football Focus has ranked as one of the worst guards in the NFL. It's no wonder Kyle Shanahan wants to start Feliciano over him and that idea came before the game against the Jaguars.

"Nothing against Spencer, but I wanted to make sure that Jon knew that we were aware of how well we thought he had been doing," said Shanahan. "So that was something I just had mentioned to him and was planning on doing it. Hadn't thought how we would do it yet. I just thought he had earned to be out there a little bit and unfortunately Aaron got hurt, but we never looked into anymore after that because we knew he was going to be up this week and this week going forward.”

Can Feliciano solidify the right side of the 49ers offensive line?

Absolutely.

It can only go up from here right? And after that Jaguars game, I'd say it is looking like an instant upgrade from Burford to Feliciano. The 49ers desperately need more consistency there. It may not have been an issue against the Jaguars, but they are not an elite pass rushing team. A dominant defensive line will wreak havoc all game long.

When the 49ers face the Seahawks and Eagles soon, that right side of the offensive line is going to be an issue. Feliciano hopefully will give them the ability to cover up some of that vulnerability. They can't really replace McKivitz, unless they play Jaylon Moore out of position there, so the only change they can make is at right guard.

Feliciano is poised to get his first start for the 49ers at right guard when they host the Buccaneers this week.