The San Francisco 49ers are getting back to their roots this offseason and it’s created a much different landscape entering 2025. The return of defensive coordinator Robert Saleh should help a defense that ranked 29th in scoring a year ago and the 49ers continued to invest with the addition of first-round draft pick Mykel Williams.
While the defense has some new toys, the offense has had its changes. Deebo Samuel is off to the Washington Commanders, but San Francisco still has George Kittle, Brandon Aiyuk and Christian McCaffrey to support Brock Purdy. The 49ers still need some help in the trenches, however, and a veteran guard is waiting for the team to save him from free agency.
49ers Should Sign Dalton Risner for Competition at Left Guard
For the third straight offseason, Dalton Risner is on the market late into free agency. A former first-round pick by the Denver Broncos, Risner spent four seasons in the mountains before signing with the Minnesota Vikings just before the 2023 season. While the Vikings didn’t immediately re-sign him, they brought him back last summer and installed him as their starting right guard midway through the 2024 season.
Risner isn’t spectacular, but he can be solid in a pinch. His overall Pro Football Focus grade has remained in the 60s for most of his career and his 68.1 overall grade was his highest since posting a 68.5 grade in 2021. The 29-year-old is also a strong pass blocker, allowing 21 pressures on 398 pass-blocking snaps last season and posting a career 4.7% pressure rate.
The only downside is Risner’s run blocking ability. He’s posted a PFF run-blocking grade under 60 four times over his six year career and had a 58.8 grade last season. Even if Risner isn’t a road grader, you at least know what you’re getting with Risner, which is more than you can say for the current situation at left guard.
Ben Bartch is currently projected to be the 49ers starter after Aaron Banks signed with the Green Bay Packers in free agency. But he only played 65 snaps last season. His most extended sample size came with the Jacksonville Jaguars in 2021, when the 26-year-old allowed 24 pressures on 460 pass-blocking snaps (5.2% pressure rate).
What’s more puzzling is that the 49ers didn’t do much to add competition behind Bartch. Spencer Burford is two years removed from posting a 26.7 pass-blocking grade and seventh-round pick Colby Connor is a lottery ticket the 49ers probably don’t want to cash in during his rookie season.
Adding a veteran like Risner could at least create some competition during training camp and give San Francisco a contingency plan if Bartch doesn’t work out.