The San Francisco 49ers just made a big move on their offensive line, picking up former Texans guard Jarrett Patterson in a trade. This immediately follows the release of Rob Jones, who apparently wasn’t healthy enough to even hit practice this upcoming week. Seriously, you gotta wonder if Jones might pop back up on the practice squad or even re-sign, but for now, the Niners clearly saw him as expendable. And bang, Patterson is in.
Patterson’s Versatility Comes With a Wild History
This Patterson guy? He’s been all over the place, snapping-wise. Just last preseason, in 2025, he was exclusively playing center for the Texans. But rewind a little to the 2025 regular season, and he logged a solid 267 snaps at left guard, plus another 67 at center. Then you hit 2024, and the dude was a full-time center, playing 537 snaps and essentially starting every single game from Week 10 on. And get this: as a rookie, he started the first eight games of the season at center. Talk about a guy who knows the interior line like the back of his hand! ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler hit it right on the head, saying the Niners were after interior depth, and Patterson, with his ability to play left guard in a pinch, delivers some much-needed versatility.
Pass Protection Pro, Run Game Question Marks
Now, let’s talk numbers, because this is where it gets interesting. According to Sports Info Solutions, Patterson’s blown block rate in 2024 was 1.5%, which is above average. That’s not terrible, but it’s not elite. However, dig deeper, and you see a clear split. His pass protection? Nearly perfect. He had only two blown blocks on a massive 341 attempts. That’s elite stuff, man! Protecting the quarterback is huge, and Patterson clearly has that locked down. But then we get to the running game, and that’s where the red flags pop up. His blown block rate shot up to 3.3% there, which is a jump from the league average of around 2.7%. You just can’t have those kinds of struggles if you’re trying to push the pile in the trenches. It’s a definite concern, but the Niners are banking on his overall package, especially that stellar pass pro. He’s on a one-year deal for 2026, with a guaranteed salary of $1.145 million, so it’s not a huge long-term commitment.
This trade, even without compensation details released yet, screams immediate impact. The Niners are clearly trying to shore up their line as the season looms. We’ll find out in about an hour and a half if this move spells the end for Drake Nugent, Connor Colby, or maybe even both of them. Roster spots are on the line, and the competition just got a whole lot tougher. This isn’t just a depth signing; this is a shot across the bow for the guys already in that room. Get ready for some serious competition to earn those starting spots as we head towards Week 1.
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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