The San Francisco 49ers are facing a dire situation at left tackle as their offensive line depth, already a concern, has been further depleted by the recent injury to Andre Dillard. The team placed Dillard on injured reserve, effectively ending his season and exposing the fragility of the 49ers’ offensive line behind star left tackle Trent Williams. This development has amplified concerns about the team’s ability to protect their quarterback and maintain offensive stability in the 2025 season.
The Trent Williams Effect
Last season, the 49ers’ performance underscored the critical importance of Trent Williams. With Williams in the lineup, the team posted a 5-5 record, but without him, they plummeted to 1-6, illustrating his indispensable role in the offensive scheme. His absence exposed vulnerabilities that the 49ers could ill afford, and the team is now bracing for a similar challenge following Dillard’s injury.
Dillard, a former first-round pick, was expected to provide much-needed depth behind Williams. However, his career has been marked by inconsistency, and relying on him as a dependable backup was always a gamble. His placement on injured reserve has left the 49ers scrambling to fill the void at a position where depth is now alarmingly thin.
A Shallow Depth Chart
With Dillard sidelined, the 49ers’ options at left tackle are limited and unproven. The current candidates include Spencer Burford, Isaac Alarcon, Austen Pleasants, and the recently signed Isaiah Prince. Each comes with significant question marks:
Spencer Burford: A fourth-year lineman, Burford has primarily played right guard for the 49ers, where his performance has drawn criticism from fans. While he played left tackle in college, his NFL experience at the position is minimal, with just 31 career snaps at left tackle and 26 at right tackle. His struggles in the first preseason game against NFL-caliber talent raise concerns about his readiness to step into a starting role.
Isaac Alarcon: Despite being in the NFL since 2020, Alarcon has yet to play a single regular-season snap, making him an unknown quantity at this level. His lack of game experience makes him a risky option for a critical position.
Austen Pleasants: Primarily viewed as a backup right tackle, Pleasants has limited experience and is not seen as a viable solution at left tackle.
Isaiah Prince: A recent addition to the roster, Prince is unlikely to make a significant impact and may not even secure a spot on the final roster.
The departure of Jaylon Moore, who filled in at left tackle last season before signing a lucrative deal with the Kansas City Chiefs, further compounds the issue. While Moore was not expected to start for the Chiefs, his departure left a noticeable gap in San Francisco’s depth chart, and Dillard’s injury has only deepened the crisis.
Banking on Burford and Williams’ Health
The 49ers appear to have accepted that replacing Trent Williams is a near-impossible task. Instead, they are banking on his durability for the 2025 season. Williams has not taken every snap during the offseason, allowing Burford to gain valuable practice time with the first-team offense. However, Burford’s lackluster performance in the preseason opener suggests that the team may face significant challenges if Williams misses time.
Burford, now a focal point for the 49ers in their final two preseason games, will need to prove he can handle the demands of left tackle at the NFL level. With Williams unlikely to play in the preseason, these games will be critical for evaluating whether Burford can serve as a reliable backup or if the team needs to explore other options.
A Precarious Path Forward
The 49ers’ offensive line woes highlight a broader issue: the difficulty of maintaining depth at premium positions like left tackle. Losing a player of Williams’ caliber for any extended period could derail the team’s season, as evidenced by last year’s stark contrast in performance with and without him. Dillard’s injury has only magnified this vulnerability, leaving the 49ers with a roster nightmare at a critical position.
As the preseason continues, all eyes will be on Burford and the 49ers’ coaching staff as they work to stabilize the offensive line. The team may also consider exploring the free-agent market or trade options to bolster their depth, but for now, they are left with few answers and a dangerously thin roster at left tackle. The hope is that Williams stays healthy, but if he doesn’t, the 49ers could be in for a long and challenging season.