The San Francisco 49ers have a knack for uncovering gems in the later rounds of the NFL draft, and their seventh-round pick in this year’s draft, Connor Colby, is proving to be another potential steal. Selected at No. 249 overall, the former Iowa offensive lineman has turned heads in training camp and preseason action, positioning himself as a serious contender for a starting role on the 49ers’ offensive line.
Colby’s journey to this point has been nothing short of remarkable. Stepping into his first preseason action against the Denver Broncos, he showcased his potential with a solid performance. His opportunity expanded when presumed starting left guard Ben Bartch suffered an elbow injury, forcing him to leave practice early on Tuesday and miss Thursday’s joint practice. Colby seized the moment, earning first-team reps at left guard and catching the attention of head coach Kyle Shanahan.
“I think he’s getting better each week,” Shanahan said during his post-practice press conference on Thursday. “When you get these guys in at first, you try not to judge them too hard because it takes a while. But the cool thing about o-linemen is they just gradually get better each day. They kind of learn what we’re asking. It’s always different techniques. You never have a guy come out of college who is going to have to run as much as we ask him to as an o-lineman. So, that always takes a number of days, sometimes a number of years. But I think he’s improved a lot here in these last couple weeks.”
Colby’s rapid improvement has been evident, particularly in pass protection, where his size and footwork give him an edge. Shanahan noted, “You don’t get to see a lot of that on Iowa tape and just his size and stuff. He has an advantage with his size being in front of people, and his feet and stuff have been able to do it too. So, he’s catching up in the run game, but he’s had more of an advantage in the pass game so far.”
While Colby’s pass-blocking skills have translated well to the 49ers’ system, adapting to San Francisco’s complex run game has been a steeper learning curve. The 49ers’ offensive scheme demands a high level of athleticism and precision from their linemen, requiring them to pull and move in space more than most college programs. For Colby, mastering the run game will be critical if he hopes to secure a long-term starting role.
Currently, Colby is in a competitive battle with Nick Zakelj for the left guard spot. Should he win the job, he would join an elite group of 49ers seventh-round picks who have defied the odds to become key contributors. Quarterback Brock Purdy and wide receiver Jauan Jennings, both late-round selections, have already proven their worth as integral pieces of San Francisco’s roster, contributing significantly to the team’s success.
Colby’s emergence is a testament to the 49ers’ scouting department and their ability to identify talent in the draft’s final rounds. While he still has work to do to solidify his place on the depth chart, his recent performances suggest he could be the next late-round success story for San Francisco. As the preseason progresses, all eyes will be on Colby to see if he can continue his upward trajectory and claim a starting role on a team with Super Bowl aspirations.