San Francisco 49ers’ rookie Offensive lineman Dominick Puni is currently the leader to start at right guard. After impressing throughout Training Camp and his NFL Preseason debut vs. Tennessee Titans, Puni has reaped the praises from OL coach Chris Foerster, leaving little doubt about where he will be on the depth chart come Week 1.
Thrust into the starting lineup
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Despite being the third-highest-drafted offensive lineman under Kyle Shanahan since 2017, Dominick Puni was not supposed to take first-team reps. But Puni’s role changed following injuries to incumbent starter Jon Feliciano (knee) and third-year player Spencer Burford (broken hand).
Since then, Puni has impressed the coaching staff with his high intellect and ability to learn the offense.
49ers’ offensive line coach Chris Foerster detailed Puni’s sudden rise up the depth chart, “He’s one of the better rookies. The day after we drafted him, Puni called and wanted every install meeting. He watched them all. He is a highly intelligent, smart kid, tough, and strong. He works extremely hard and is very diligent.”
Preseason Debut vs. Titans
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Puni jumped off the screen in his 49ers’ debut last Saturday vs. Titans, allowing zero pressure or sacks in 14 pass-blocking opportunities. He also pulled running back Jordan Mason into the endzone giving the Niners a lead on the first drive of the game – a play that 49ers’ broadcaster Greg Pappa coined as the “Puni Push!”
His touchdown-aiding play, along with his premier pass-blocking, once again caught the eye of O-line coach Chris Foerster.
“He’s played well”, said Foerster. “He’s been consistent throughout. The way he started camp and has continued to work every week. He’s been a pretty consistent performer. Everything we saw him do in practice, he did in the game.”
Impressing Kyle Shanahan and Teammates
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Puni’s efforts have also forced head coach Kyle Shanahan to take notice. Following Saturday’s loss vs. the Titans, Shanahan offered the rookie praise, “I didn’t get mad at him for anything, so that usually means that you played pretty good.”
The words used may not sound resounding, but being on the opposite end of Shanahan’s praise is Puni’s greatest accomplishment thus far.
Shanahan is known for being harsh on rookies. He has a history of giving up on players despite their high draft status and benching players after one fumble, leaving them to rot on the bench (ask Matt Breida why he didn’t start another game in 2019 following a Week 15 loss vs. Falcons).
Puni has won over the coaching staff, and teammates follow right behind them.
On the latest episode of “Brick by Brick,” 49ers’ linebacker Fred Warner shared his thoughts on the team’s third-round pick.
“You know who can move? The rookie Puni. [The offense] ran a toss, and I’m trying to run. He was hanging with me. I had to punch to get off him. He’s got good size to him. He can move. He’s young, so he’s only going to get stronger.”
Final Takeaways
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The 49ers have been burned by the right guard position twice since 2019.
The first instance was Chiefs’ defensive tackle Chris Jones punishing then-starting guard Mike Person, batting many of Jimmy Garoppolo’s passes to the ground in what became the penultimate drive of Super Bowl 54. The latter instance happened last February when Chris Jones forced a Brock Purdy incompletion due to backup guard Spencer Burford whiffing on a block that cost the 49ers a chance to secure a game-winning touchdown in Super Bowl 58.
To be blunt, right guard has been a black hole on one of the NFL’s most stacked rosters. But the 49ers might have finally found an answer in 2024 third-round pick Dominick Puni.
He’s been stellar throughout Training Camp since being gifted an opportunity with the starters. And he will have another chance to tighten his grip on the starting right guard position this Sunday vs. the Saints.
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