Each year, we run a series of post called "90-in-90" here at Niners Nation. The idea is that we'll take a look at every single player on the roster, from the very bottom to the top and break them down a few different ways. This is to help give everyone a basic understanding of a roster. Of course, this roster will change, and some days we'll have more than one so it's not strictly one per day but you get the idea.
The San Francisco 49ers invested a pair of fifth round picks in offensive lineman this year, adding John Theus and Fahn Cooper. Both have gotten a fair amount of playing time as tackles, but could potentially move around a bit more as the team heads into training camp. The decision to draft both players is due in part to Anthony Davis’s absence, but could also be due in part to questions about last year’s draft picks.
The 49ers spent a sixth round pick on Ian Silberman, and a seventh round pick on Trent Brown. While Brown is competing for starting right tackle opportunities, his conditioning is a question mark. On the other side of things, Silberman earned a roster spot last season, but barely saw the field. He played five special teams snaps the first week of the season, and then never saw the field again. He was active but a DNP in Week 2, then inactive through Week 14, and closed out the season active but a DNP in Weeks 15, 16, and 17.
Silberman started his college career at Florida, making seven starts over 20 games. He then transferred to Boston College, where made 12 starts in 12 games his final year. Scouting reports view him as a guy with natural power, but limitations in foot quickness and general maneuverability. He played right tackle in college, but scouting reports indicate he is better suited as a guard.
Scouting reports
- NFL.com
- CBSSports.com
- 49ers PR release:
Silberman (6-5, 306) was selected in the sixth round (190th overall) out of Boston College. Silberman played in a combined 32 games (19 starts) at BC and the University of Florida. As a senior with the Eagles, he started all 12 games and earned Third-Team All-ACC honors as a key member of an offensive line that produced the 14th-best rushing attack in the nation, averaging 251.8 yards per game, second-best in the ACC. He helped pave the way for QB Tyler Murphy who broke the ACC single-season record for rushing yards by a quarterback (1,079) and BC’s career quarterback rushing yards record. A 22-year old native of Orange Park, FL, Silberman attended Fleming Island High School.
Basic info
Age: 23 (24 on October 10)
Experience: 1 accrued season
Height: 6’5
Weight: 306
Cap status
Entering second year of four-year rookie contract. If Silberman earns a roster spot, he will earn $525,000 in base salary, and have a cap hit of $555,419.
What to expect in 2016
Silberman got extensive work last preseason, but then was on the sideline for almost the entire regular season. If Silberman earned a roster spot this year, I would think it would have to be so that he could contribute as a primary reserve on the line. I don’t see the team keeping him on the 53-man roster if they think he would be inactive most of the season once again. He could very well be competing for a practice squad spot instead.
Odds of making the roster
The 49ers added the two fifth round picks mentioned up top, and of course also drafted Joshua Garnett and signed Zane Beadles. Let’s not forgot the addition of Alex Balducci, who has received praise since converting over from the defensive line, and oh, there’s Colin Kelly, Brandon Thomas, and Marcus Martin in the mix. The 49ers offensive line has a lot of question marks, but there’s a lot of at least interesting young talent competing for opportunities. Silberman faces a tough uphill climb given all the additions. I have him as a weak bubble guy right now, and really he might be competing for a practice squad spot.