After finishing their 2024 season in last place in the NFC West, the San Francisco 49ers are entering with a roster that they hope can compete for a playoff spot in 2025, whether that be through the wild card or by winning the division.
As they prepare for the upcoming season, their offensive line is expected to be fully healthy to start the year with Trent Williams, Ben Bartch, Jake Brendel, Dominick Puni and Colton McKivitz likely lining up in front of quarterback Brock Purdy from left to right.
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The only true new starter this year would be Bartch, who takes over for Aaron Banks, who left for a four-year, $77 million deal with the Green Bay Packers this offseason. Bartch played 65 snaps at left guard in 2024 after playing 10 at the same spot for the team the year prior.
Despite that change, Pro Football Focus’ Zoltan Buday recently ranked the 49ers offensive line as the 12th-best unit in the league, which is one spot higher than he had them to end last season.
“Trent Williams remains the leader of San Francisco’s line, but the soon-to-be 37-year-old won’t be able to do so forever,” Buday wrote. “For the first time in five seasons, he ranked outside the top two offensive tackles in PFF overall grade (85.6) this past year. Williams also missed significant time due to injury.
“The 49ers’ group is still above average, especially considering Dominick Puni’s emergence. The Kansas product ranked sixth among all guards with an 80.5 PFF overall grade as a rookie.”
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The offensive lines that ranked ahead of San Francisco’s included the Philadelphia Eagles, Denver Broncos, Buffalo Bills, Chicago Bears, Indianapolis Colts, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Minnesota Vikings, Atlanta Falcons, New York Jets, Los Angeles Chargers and Carolina Panthers.
With San Francisco’s passing attack losing Deebo Samuel (traded to the Washington Commanders) and potentially missing Brandon Aiyuk for the start of the year (returning from a torn ACL), the strength of the team’s offensive line will be paramount, especially early on.
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This article originally appeared on Niners Wire: 49ers offensive line comes in at No. 12 in PFF’s 2025 rankings