Given the success the 49ers had with Jon Feliciano last season, plus the fact that they re-signed him this offseason, it’s possible the 49ers intend to get bigger on the right side of their offensive line this year.
For years, the right side of the 49ers offensive line has been small and weak.
The left side is big and strong. Both Trent Williams and Aaron Banks weigh at least 320 pounds. They push people around. Meanwhile, the right side of the offensive line typically has been much lighter. Mike McGlinchey weighed less than 290 pounds at one point. Colton McKivitz and Spencer Burford each weigh 300 pounds.
Being light helps the right side of the offensive line execute reach blocks on the 49ers’ outside runs that use zone blocking. But the 49ers don’t run the ball effectively to the right anymore. Almost all of their long runs went to the left last year.
Halfway through the season, the 49ers benched Burford and replaced him with veteran guard Jon Feliciano, who weighs 325 pounds. He’s much larger than the right guards the 49ers typically have had under head coach Kyle Shanahan. And despite being heavier than Burford, Feliciano fit the system and upgraded the offense.
Which brings us to the upcoming draft. Given the success the 49ers had with Feliciano last season, plus the fact that they re-signed him this offseason, it’s possible the 49ers intend to get bigger on the right side of their offensive line this year. They’ve gone small on that side for so long, and pass protection has suffered big time because of it, particularly when they face the Chiefs and All Pro defensive tackle Chris Jones, who destroys the 49ers.
It’s possible the 49ers will draft a right tackle who weighs at least 325 pounds for the first time in years, which would be wise. Because the best offensive lines in the NFL these days are big.
Get with the times.
