49ers left tackle Joe Staley could finish his career as the best offensive lineman in team history. Going into Year 13 he’s still one of the NFL’s best players at his position, and his continued excellence on Jimmy Garoppolo’s blind side has afforded San Francisco the luxury of bolstering other key positions during their rebuild. He enters 2019 as the No. 9 tackle in the NFL according to Touchdown Wire’s Doug Farrar.
There’s plenty to like about Staley on and off the field, but Farrar specifically cites his pass blocking as the reason for his placement inside the top 10 at the most important position on the offensive line.
San Francisco’s first-round pick in 2007, Staley has developed from a raw prospect out of Central Michigan into one of the most reliable tackles in the league, especially in the pass-blocking department. He hasn’t allowed more than four sacks in a season in five of the last six years, and in 2018, he gave up four sacks, seven quarterback hits and 14 quarterback hurries.
Another dominant season from Staley will be essential for San Francisco in 2019. Their offensive line was up and down last year with injuries affecting nearly every player along the front. Staley was a workhorse though, playing the third most snaps on the team.
The most important thing the 49ers must do this year is protect Garoppolo. Keeping the franchise quarterback upright and healthy will be the difference between contending for a playoff spot and picking in the top 10 in the draft again.
While the onus falls on the entire line to protect the signal caller, Staley will deal with the best edge rushers and keep Garoppolo’s blind side clean. He performed like a top tackle a year ago, and San Francisco needs him to do the same this season. Typically players begin declining in their mid-30s, but Staley has found a way to continue thriving. That’s great news for Garoppolo and the 49ers.
