49ers position battles: Tackle

June 24, 12:36 AMSan Francisco 49ers ExaminerSamuel Lam

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Joe Staley is signed through the 2017 season.
(AP Photo/Paul Sakuma)

I'm going to wrap up the last position on the offense at tackle. I'll do the defensive position battles later in July. But now, we look at what could be the most stable positions on offense at left tackle with Joey Staley. But at right tackle, the question marks still remain.

However, there will be a lot of players that want to take that right tackle position. Let's take a look at the roster.

Currently on roster:

• Adam Snyder (entering 5th year)
• Joe Toledo (entering 3rd year)
• Alex Boone (entering 1st year)
• Joe Staley (entering 3rd year)
• Barry Sims (entering 11th year)
• Jacob Bender (entering 2nd year)
• Marvel Smith (entering 10th year)

Staley signed a contract extension that would keep him until the 2017 season. Unless something goes wrong, we can see that Staley will remain at the left tackle position this season.

Staley, along with teammate Patrick Willis and the Browns' Joe Thomas are the only players from the 2007 Draft to have started every game for their team. That kind of stability is very nice.

As for the right tackle position, we have to wonder about which of these guys could end up replacing Jonas Jennings. We saw some Barry Sims and Adam Snyder at the position, but neither of these could end up being the starter at the season's start.

The 49ers signed free agent Marvel Smith from the Steelers in hope that if Smith can stay healthy, he could end up being the starter. Smith has the most experience out of all of the players listed and his veteran experience with a Super Bowl winning team was something that definitely grabbed the attention of the 49ers.

Alex Boone is one player I am cheering for. Boone has been working extremely hard to make an impression on the team as a rookie free agent. Also, he has had a history of alcoholism while in college. He's working to avoid getting drunk in public and it would be nice to see him make the team.

But right now, the 49ers are hoping that Staley and Smith are the key guys to the team's offensive line this year. Joe Toledo and Jacob Bender don't have much of a shot right now, but since Snyder and Sims might be playing some guard or backup tackle, we might see Toledo and Bender get extra looks to make the roster.

However, it looks like Staley has the left side and Smith, if healthy, will get the right tackle spot.

The running game will be really important for the 49ers this year and getting great blocking from the tackle (along with protecting the quarterback) will be key for the 49ers.

For more 49ers news: Visit my other site Mining the Gold Rush or the 49ers' official blog at Goal Posts.
Trying out Twitter for 49ers updates. Check me out here @SLam49ers