Today we continue our 9-part series of how much each position group counts against the 2021 cap, and today we look at what might be the most improved group, the Offensive Lineman.
The 49ers have 17 players signed for 2021, and they’re set to count $34,806,459 against the 2021 cap.
Let’s begin with the guy many thought wouldn’t be back in 2021, but he is, and that’s their starting left tackle, and All-Pro Trent Williams.
Williams signed a massive deal this offseason, a 6-year deal, worth $23.01 million a year, with $40.05 million fully guaranteed.
Now the deal is really split into two separate 3-year deals, as the 49ers have to make a decision by April 1, 2023 on whether to exercise Williams’ 2024-2026 option years, which would also guarantee him $10 million for 2023.
Unless for some reason he doesn’t play like he did in 2020, there’s no way he isn’t a 49ers for the rest of his career, he loves the Shanahan’s, and he loves the system.
Next up is starting left guard Laken Tomlinson, who is set to count $6,561,647 against the 2021 cap.
This is his last year of his contract that averaged $5.5 million a year, and I thought an extension could happen, but the 49ers drafting 2 interior offensive lineman shows that an extension may not happen.
Now, Laken is a great run blocker, one of the best run blocking guards in the NFL, but he lacks in the pass protection area, where he’s had his issues.
Tomlinson will be the teams left guard for 2021, but as for 2022 and beyond, the 49ers have 4 potential young players that could end up being the new left guard.
Mike McGlinchey, who had his 5th-year option picked up, is set to count $6,006,052 against the 2021 cap.
McGlinchey is coming off his worst year as a 49er, and he knows that, as he’s bulked up, hoping to have a much better 2021 season.
Now, McGlinchey is one of the best run blocking right tackles in the NFL, but the his pass protection is an issue, so hopefully adding that extra weight, along with another year with Trent Williams will help him improve, because his $10.808 million 2022 salary is fully guaranteed, so he’s hear for at least 2 more seasons, baring a trade.
The 49ers signed the next guy in the offseason to take over for the recently retired Weston Richburg, that guy being center Alex Mack, who is another guy who is familiar with Kyle Shanahan, and he’s set to count $2,979,412 against the 2021 cap.
Mack brings the veteran leadership, and more importantly the experience, plus great abilities in the both run blocking & pass protection to the center spot that the 49ers have lacked for a long time.
Mack signed a 3-year deal, worth $4.95 million a year, with $5.1 million in fully guaranteed money, while he has a $500,000 injury guarantee in 2022, that’s all the money that Mack is guaranteed.
Mack said he felt the 49ers were the perfect fit for him, knowing the system, familiarity with Kyle Shanahan, it was just the right fit.
Mack should help solidify the offensive line, especially the interior, where the 49ers have really struggled for a while.
Next is the 49ers 2nd-round pick Aaron Banks, who is set to count $1,286,110 against the 2021 cap.
Banks should be the teams starting right guard week 1, but as always he’ll have to earn it, but there should be no problem with him earning it.
Banks is an excellent run blocker, and pass protector, so he’s the perfect fit to be next to a fellow Notre Dame alum, and former teammate in McGlinchey, hopefully this is a combo on the right side that we see for many years to come.
Next we have tackle Shon Coleman, who opted out of 2020 due to COVID-19, and he’s set to count $1,127,500 against the 2021 cap.
Coleman really hasn’t play meaningful football since 2017, his 2nd season in the NFL, since then, he’s dealt with injury after injury, and his first snap as a 49er in week 1 of the preseason resulted to a torn ACL.
If the 49ers keep 9 offensive lineman, Coleman is likely the guy they keep, but he’ll have to earn it.
Next up is Justin Skule, who is set to count $894,887 against the 2021 cap, but he won’t be playing in 2021, as he tore his ACL a few weeks back, and will spend the 2021 season on injured reserve.
Next up is Colton McKivitz, who is set to count $862,445 against the 2021 cap.
McKivitz is a guy the 49ers expect to make a leap in 2021, as again, like with Jauan Jennings, & Charlie Woerner, there was no offseason programs.
The thing McKivitz has going for him is the fact that he can play both guard spots, as well as play left tackle, so I look at him as one of the 8 locks to make the opening day 53.
Now we have center Jake Brendel, who was also a 2020 opt-out, and is set to count $850,000 against the 2021 cap.
Brendel will have to beat out a guy the 49ers really like to be the backup center, that guy Daniel Brunskill, so Brendel is more than likely heading to the practice squad.
Now we have Brunskill, a guy who can play pretty much every position on the offensive line, he’s set to count $850,000 against the 2021 cap.
He’s likely going to be that Swing Tackle, but also backup at center, but there is a chance he could win the right guard spot, but more than likely he’ll be the Swiss army knife of the offensive line.
Next we have veteran Tom Compton, who is set to count $850,000 against the cap in 2021.
Compton was signed last year to be the teams right guard, and that didn’t work out too well, he ended up having to take a pay cut just to make the 53-man roster.
The thing he has going for him is that he can play both right guard, and right tackle, along with being a potential left tackle if needed, but hopefully that never happens.
If the 49ers keep 9 offensive lineman, then he’ll be 1 of 3 players fighting for that spot in my opinion, with the other being the newest 49er, Senio Kelemete.
Kelemete is set to cost $850,000 against the 2021 cap, and he also brings versatility, as he can play both guard spot, as well as tackle.
He seems more like the long shot of the 3 players, those being Shon Coleman, Tom Compton, and himself, that are battling for a potential 9th offensive lineman spot.
Now we have Isaiah Williams, who would count $780,000 against the 2021 cap, but he’s a long shot, and more than likely a practice squad candidate at best.
Next is one of the teams 3 5th-round picks, Jaylon Moore, who will count $740,759 against the cap in 2021.
Moore is viewed by the 49ers as a guard, who in my opinion is a potential replacement for Laken Tomlinson at left guard, the others being Aaron Banks, Daniel Brunskill, & Colton McKivitz.
I see Moore as a lock, and on the teams 48-man active game day roster, as he can play left tackle, as well both guard spots, and he’s a great pass protector.
Now we have 3 players set to count $660,000 against the cap each, those being Dakoda Shepley, Alfredo Gutierrez, & Corbin Kaufusi.
All 3 are long shots, Shepley likely is heading to the practice squad, unless he’s recalled by the CFL, as his rights are held by one of their 9 teams, Gutierrez will be on the teams practice squad as the international pathway player, but won’t be able to play, nor will be count against either the practice squad limit, and salary cap.
The last Kaufusi is likely a practice squad candidate at best.
So with all of this said, I thank everyone for reading article, as always you can follow me on Twitter @49erscap, or leave a comment below, and I’ll get back to you.
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