Less than 10 days before the NFL Draft, the 49ers are trying to make one more offseason acquisition to boost their roster.
Matt Barrows of The Sacramento Bee is reporting the team has placed a one-year offer sheet on Seattle Seahawks offensive lineman Garry Gilliam. The 6-foot-5, 315-pound Gilliam has started 29 games over the last two seasons, mostly at right tackle. According to Pro Football Focus, Gilliam finished the year 57th of 59 qualifying tackles in pass blocking efficiency, allowing 58 quarterback pressures in 2016.
ESPN is reporting Gilliam’s one-year offer from 49ers was for $2.2 million with $1.4 million guaranteed. The Seahawks have five days to match the deal.
At the NFL scouting combine, 49ers John Lynch was asked if the 49ers have a position that he feels
“I think offensive lines are tough to build in this league, and you turn on the film and there’s a lot of exciting things to see with an offensive line,” Lynch said.
Since then, the team has traded for Pro Bowl center Jeremy Zuttah and now have a pending deal with Gilliam. Former GM Trent Baalke traded back into the first round to obtain Joshua Garnett during last year’s NFL Draft and he also signed starting left guard Zane Beadles. Joe Staley remains an anchor at left tackle, Zuttah is expected to compete with Daniel Kilgore which leaves Gilliam to compete with right tackle Trent Brown. With two different regimes making upgrades, offensive line has received as much attention as any position group on the roster the last two offseasons.
Kyle Shanahan’s zone-blocking scheme requires more nimble offensive linemen who can move quickly in space. Despite Brown’s solid start to his career, don’t rule out Gilliam starting the season Week 1. 49ers.com lists Brown at 355 pounds, and there’s a chance that listing is a little on the light side. Brown has more talent, but Gilliam might be a better scheme fit. Time will tell.