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San Francisco 49ers: Positional traits to look for in 2018 offseason

By Nicholas McGee

LOS ANGELES, CA - DECEMBER 31: Quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo (Photo by Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CA - DECEMBER 31: Quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo (Photo by Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images) /
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CHICAGO, IL – DECEMBER 03: Kicker Robbie Gould #9 of the San Francisco 49ers celebrates with teammates, including Joe Staley #74, after scoring the game winning field goal against the Chicago Bears in the fourth quarter at Soldier Field on December 3, 2017 in Chicago, Illinois. The San Francisco 49ers defeated the Chicago Bears 15-14. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images)
CHICAGO, IL – DECEMBER 03: Kicker Robbie Gould #9 of the San Francisco 49ers celebrates with teammates, including Joe Staley #74, after scoring the game winning field goal against the Chicago Bears in the fourth quarter at Soldier Field on December 3, 2017 in Chicago, Illinois. The San Francisco 49ers defeated the Chicago Bears 15-14. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images) /

Offensive Line: Getting to the second level

The interior of the offensive line is a big need for San Francisco. Center Daniel Kilgore received an extension after an up-and-down year. But, though Brandon Fusco played to a reasonable standard, the guard play was disappointing overall.

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Joshua Garnett missed the entire season through injury and is looking to get down from 325 pounds to around 305 or 310 to help him better fit the zone-blocking scheme the 49ers run, which relies heavily on linemen who can pull and get to the second level. Yet there is no guarantee Garnett will be able to adapt to that scheme and, in a draft heavy on interior offensive line talent, the 49ers definitely need to add competition at both guard and center.

The value of offensive linemen who can get to the second level was illustrated by the dominant performace of Philadelphia Eagles center Jason Kelce in the Super Bowl.

Garoppolo excelled despite disappointing interior line play, the thought of him playing behind guards who can hold up in pass protection and help the run game excel should have 49ers fans salivating.