Today, we continue our 9-part series showing how much of the 49ers 2022 salary cap a certain position group takes up, and today we continue with the offensive line.
Players Under Contract: C Alex Mack(2023), LG Aaron Banks(2024), RG Daniel Brunskill(2022), LT Trent Williams(2026), RT Mike McGlinchey(2022), RG Jaylon Moore(2024), LG Colton McKivitz(2022), LG Nick Zakelj(2025), C Dohnovan West(2024), C Jason Poe(2024), C Jake Brendel(2022), LT Sam Schlueter(2024), RT Justin Skule(2022), RT Alfredo Gutierrez(2022), RT Spencer Burford(2025), & RG Keaton Sutherland(2022)
Total Cap Hit: $44,656,986
Let’s start off with the teams’ likely starting tackles, Trent Williams, who will count $14,031,765 against the 2022 cap, & Mike McGlinchey, who will make $10.88 million, and with these 2, I think the offensive line, which is of concern, mainly the interior, but also the right tackle spot, as McGlinchey is coming off a serious injury, but he was having his best season in 2021, so hopefully he can come back strong, and as for Trent, well, he’s the best LT in the NFL, enough said.
Next up is the starting interior offensive lineman, I believe Aaron Banks, who will count $1,607,638 against the cap, will be the teams’ new left guard, while Jaylon Moore, who is set to count $905,759 agains the cap, and in my opinion, Moore will be the teams’ new right guard.
When it comes to the incumbent right guard Daniel Brunskill, set to earn $2.433 million, I envision will be the team’s swing T, swing G, backup C, just every spot on the OL, he’ll be the primary backup.
As for the center spot, it’s a big unknown, with Alex Mack, set to count $5.075 million against the cap, is still mulling over whether to return, or retire, so if he returns, this won’t be a big concern, short term, now long term it is.
We have some others coming back that I view as players who could sneak in to a long term spot, Colton McKiviz($895,000 against the cap), & Spencer Burford($873,014 against the cap), both are in my eyes locks to make the final 53, with Burford potentially the teams’ right tackle in 2023.
The team also has the likes of UDFA Sam Schuleter($705,000), Justin Skule($939,887), Alfredo Gutierrez($705,000), & Keaton Sutherland($895,000) all being longshots to make the team, as I just don’t see the 49ers keeping Skule, while Schuleter will be a practice squader, and Gutierrez is the international pathway player, who doesn’t count against the roster limit, so he should be on the teams’ practice squad, unless he gets claimed off waivers.
Now, we do have a couple UDFAs who I think have a good shot at making the team, especially if Mack retires, those 2 being Dohnovan West($708,333), & Jason Poe($705,000), two undrafted centers that I can see making this team, likely 1 of the 2, but both have a shot, along with rookie draftee Nick Zakelj($752,590), & veteran Jake Brendel($895,000), as Adam Peters has said that Zakelj will see snaps this offseason at center, & Brendel was the backup center last year.
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Do you see the niners carrying 8 or 9 along the OL? I would assume that hinges on Mack’s decision, right? If Mack plays another year, then they keep 3 tackles, 3 guards and 2 centers (Mack and Brendel). But if Mack retires, then do they carry Brendel and 2 other guys to hedge their bets on development / injury?
Not sure if the last comment went through. So sorry if this is a double post.
The niners are keeping just 8 OL if Mack returns, right? Brendel has been named the front runner behind Mack by Shanahan. Isn’t he almost a lock?
3 Tackles – Williams, McGlinchey and ???
3 Guards – Banks, Moore and ???
2 Centers – Mack and Brendel
If Mack retires then maybe they’re forced to keep three guys?
I think 9 for sure, Trent, McGlinchey, Burford, Banks, Moore, Brunskill & Mack(if he doesn’t retire) are locks in my eyes, then McKivitz is close behind, then you have Brendel, West, Zakelj, Poe, etc…. battling for 1 spot, or maybe 2 if they keep 10 or if McKivitz doesn’t play well.