Taking Stock of the 49ers Offensive Line

Is the 49ers' offensive line getting better or worse?

Let's take stock.

Trent Williams

He still is an elite left tackle, but he has gotten slightly worse three seasons in a row according to Pro Football Focus and SIS Data Hub, which is to be expected for an offensive lineman who's 35 and practices only once a week during the regular season. He's signed through 2026. The 49ers probably should start looking for his heir apparent just in case he starts getting injured and missing time, because the 49ers can't afford to not have him.

Stock down.

Aaron Banks

He gave up zero sacks and was a quality run blocker all season. He's an ascending player, he just needs to stay healthy. He had issues with turf toe during the season.

Stock up.

Jake Brendel

He didn't become a starting offensive lineman until 2022 when he was 30, but the past two seasons he has started every game for the 49ers at center and played consistently well. In fact, he's the second best offensive lineman on the team after Williams. Remarkable for a player who spent so much of his career on practice squads.

Stock up.

Spencer Burford

He still hasn't established himself as a fulltime starting guard in the NFL -- he has split time with veterans the past two seasons. But Burford is only 23, and he was better in 2023 than he was as a rookie in 2022. He needs to get stronger, but that's something he can do.

Stock up.

Colton McKivitz

It was his first season as a starting offensive tackle, and he was surprisingly solid. In fact, he was better than his predecessor, Mike McGlinchey, while playing for a fraction of the price. Sure, McKivitz allowed a whopping 13 sacks, but he was a quality run blocker, as opposed to McGlinchey, who simply stunk for the Broncos this past season. The 49ers could look to upgrade this position in the draft, but you could do much worse than McKivitz.

Stock up.