How the 49ers Can Fix Their Offensive Line

Now the 49ers have a quarterback who can run an elite offense, so why not protect him?

The 49ers never will fix their offensive line until they prioritize the position.

The right side of the 49ers offensive line has been a problem since Kyle Shanahan became the head coach. It crumbled in the fourth quarter of Super Bowl LIV, and once again in the second half of Super Bowl LVIII.

And that's because the 49ers don't seriously invest in offensive linemen. They try to save money at the position, which is somewhat understandable -- teams can splurge at every position when there's a salary cap. Teams have to decide which positions are more important than others and where they can save some cap space.

But offensive line seems like the last position where a team would want to cut corners financially, especially a team with an excellent young quarterback such as Brock Purdy. When the 49ers had Jimmy Garoppolo, it made sense for them to spend more money on defensive linemen than offensive linemen because the offense wasn't going to be elite with Garoppolo at quarterback.

Now the 49ers have a quarterback who can run an elite offense, so why not protect him? Sure, Purdy can escape pressure because he's quick and surprisingly mobile, but he's also a devastating passer when he has time and space to throw, so why not give him time and space to throw?

Last season, Brock Purdy tore the UCL in his elbow during the NFC Championship Game because the 49ers couldn't protect him well enough, and then they promptly drafted zero offensive linemen a few months later.

If the 49ers are serious about improving their offensive line, they'll spend a first-round pick on the position this year.