49ers Roster: The Battle to Solidify the Offensive Line in 2012

The San Francisco 49ers have been collecting talent through free agency and the draft in an attempt to plug in the final pieces to solidify a championship team. 

The 49ers are already loaded with talent, and in a shortened league year in 2011, they still proved they were worthy of the NFC title game. With any improvement, San Francisco will be fielding a Super Bowl-caliber team in 2012. But before any trophies can be handed out, the Niners desperately need to lockdown the starting five upfront. 

The offensive line is not yet complete, although San Francisco is sure of four of five starters. Joe Staley, Mike Iupati, Jonathan Goodwin and Anthony Davis will be returning to action for the 49ers in 2012, but the fifth and last remaining man in their unit is undefined at this point. 

The Contenders

Joe Looney, Wake Forest

6'3", 315 pounds

Jason Slowey, Western Oregon

6'3", 303 pounds

Alex Boone, 2-year 49er

6'8", 300 pounds

Daniel Kilgore, 1-year 49er 

6'3", 308 pounds

This is the expected group of competition vying for the available right-guard position that was recently vacated by Adam Snyderm who left for the division rival Arizona Cardinals. Chilo Rachal was also deemed unfit even for a backup role under the 49ers' new regime. 

Having Looney, Slowey, Boone and Kilgore fight it out should suffice, as I bet more than one of them is capable of being a starting guard in this league. At this point, it's hard to predict who has the edge, seeing as how no one has significant playing experience at the pro level— the job couldn't be more up for grabs.

But based on how the 49ers brought in Looney and Kilgore, there's a hunch that the two of them could edge out the others in camp. Looney and Kilgore were recruited as starting-capable guards by the combined Jim Harbaugh and Trent Baalke regime.

San Francisco used their third selection in the 2012 NFL draft on Looney and traded up for Kilgore in 2011. Boone is a great, versatile player leftover from the old regime and will have an opportunity to earn the starting job. However, he projects more as a full-time tackle than an inside lineman who Alex Smith might not be able to see over. 

I think Slowey is a wildcard, though. He is a small-school guy who absolutely dominated his position in college. His game film puts him on display as a player who loves physical contact and consistently puts defenders on the ground. He is a smart player with good lateral quickness, which would help him in the 49ers' scheme with pulling guards.

He projects as more of a mauler than a natural pass-protector, but his skills could develop under the 49ers coaching staff. I believe that if Slowey won the right-guard position outright, the 49ers would be a top-five rushing team, if not top-three. His intangibles and the way he plays with a chip on his shoulder are encouraging when projecting him to the next level. 

Also, in addition to these four players battling for the right-guard position, there has been an alternate route that's been rumored. The possibility of moving Anthony Davis inside to right guard is something that's been discussed, if only briefly. 

Any early estimates at this time are purely hearsay and hold little validity, unless they come from the horses mouth. This is a position that is going to be carefully looked at, as it is fought and won in training camp. The 49ers will move forward with the situation that makes this team the most competitive. 

The Niners will also be paying careful attention to this area because the worst thing that could happen while they are trying to make a go at a sixth Lombardi Trophy is to have mid-season instability among the offensive line.  

San Francisco knows they are competing for a championship in 2012, so whichever man is starter-ready will earn the right to play. 

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