Connor Colby is back at left guard for the San Francisco 49ers, which is, honestly, kind of wild. We’re talking about a player who was first string, then got demoted to third string, and now, in the span of a single month, he’s right back with the starters. You gotta laugh at that rollercoaster, but hey, if he’s the best man for the job, you put him out there, right?
The Offensive Line and Wide Receiver Shuffle
It’s not just the line where things are getting interesting. The wide receiver usage is going to be something else. Deebo Samuel’s addition is getting seriously slept on when it comes to his blocking. The dude was exceptional in that category, absolutely stellar. Then you look at Demarcus Robinson, who was not. So, we’ll probably see Robinson only hitting the field on clear passing downs. Meanwhile, De’Zhaun Stribling and Deebo could be used way more on a down-to-down basis. Their usage is gonna differ, big time, and it makes you wonder how that rotation will play out once the real games start.
Defensive Line Feels the Squeeze
Over on defense, the pressure is ramping up, especially on that defensive line. Alfred Collins told reporters he is “not where I wanna be yet,” which is a tough admission, but he also acknowledged he has made strides. Remember, his shoulder injury kept him out of those first July training camp practices. He played like a guy still nursing something during the preseason, you could tell. He wasn’t forceful, didn’t initiate anything, and was too reactionary, often just leaning on the blocker instead of dictating the action or trying to disengage. Collins has gotta rip the band-aid off, plain and simple, like Nick Bosa does. That’s a huge thing to watch as the season gets going.
Then there’s Gracen Halton, who was supposed to be the pass rush specialist. If he isn’t playing right away after missing all that time, it just cranks up the heat on the rest of the defensive line, or on Keion White when he slides inside, to produce big time. And if Sam Okuayinonu is out or Romello Height can’t play, that whole defensive line rotation becomes anyone’s guess. That’s a serious headache for them to sort out.
Highest Ceiling in the Secondary?
One bright spot, though, is Malik Mustapha returning to practice. That’s a great sign, man. He’s got perhaps the highest ceiling in their entire secondary. After missing so much time, the big question is whether he gets a chance to start or if they ease him into the rotation. He was rotating with Marques Sigle even when he was healthy, so it’s not a clear path to a starting spot right away, but his potential is massive.
The 49ers won’t be talking until their next block of practices, so everyone is left to chew on this depth chart. You gotta keep an eye on Collins’ health and Mustapha’s role. These early season trends could set the tone for their entire year, especially with those defensive questions looming large.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Niners Nation.
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