Invader49er: Should fans appreciate Jake Brendel more?
Those fans on social media who think the 49ers have employed a tomato can at center for the past four seasons? Brendel suffers from Mike McGlinchey Syndrome. Like the 49ers former right tackle, Brendel (299 pounds) is a bit undersized for his position and occasionally has lowlight-reel snaps in which he’s bullied backwards.
Also like McGlinchey: NFL talent evaluators disagree with @Ninerz4evah and @fireshanahan when assessing Brendel’s value. In 2023, after supposedly stinking for five seasons with the 49ers, McGlinchey signed a five-year, $87.5 million contract with the Broncos. In 2023, Brendel signed a four-year, $20 million deal with the 49ers after he received contract offers from three other teams, with the Jets enlisting QB Aaron Rodgers to recruit him with a one-hour phone call.
Shanahan rarely criticizes players publicly, but he also doesn’t tend to offer lofty praise that isn’t merited. Last month, he termed Brendel, a UCLA economics major, one of the NFL’s top centers and said he’s never had a center any better when it comes to making pre-snap blocking adjustments. That’s crucial in Shanahan’s system because almost all those duties are handled by the center, not the QB, and the 49ers’ extensive use of motion creates defensive movement that adds to Brendel’s workload.
That was my question to Eric Branch. I bet you didn't know Aaron Rodgers wanted Brendel.
Jake Brendel ranked 24th in pressure rate at 3.99%
Tyler Linderbaum ranked 31st in pressure rate at 4.85%
When you say appreciate him more, to what level are we supposed to appreciate him?
ReplyDeleteAs Mr. Branch noted, social media have seen Brendel as this sort of millstone around the 49ers neck for many years.
DeleteYeah, there are some crazies on social media. Brendel is a decent enough starter. Can be improved on, but can win with him.
DeleteIn terms of your comparison to Linderbaum, I think if you are trying to suggest he is on par or better than him, you are either inflating Brendel's ability or deflating Linderbaum's. There's a reason Linderbaum is widely regarded as a top 5 center in the NFL.
For some context on that pressure stat, keep in mind who is QB is. Great player, but also known to hold the ball a long time and not necessarily having the best feel in the pocket. That is also the highest Linderbaum has ever allowed in a season, and it coincided with the Ravens having some bad OGs next to him this year, both of whom had even higher pressure rates allowed.
Not at all but I do think Linderbaum is a better run blocker than pass protector.
DeleteYes, he is most definitely a better run blocker than pass protector. No question. But that is also how Shanahan prioritises blocking, so good fit.
DeleteLinderbaum's agent got every team thinking they can fix their OL woes by signing him. Probably deserves a raise for that.
DeleteI think you are underestimating how good a player he is.
DeleteMaybe Brendel's better too with a better LG like the context you gave for Linderbaum's poor pressure rating.
DeleteHe would be, imo. Brendel with better OG play next to him is fine. I'm not questioning that.
DeleteThe other part that plays into the high pressure rate is the QB. As good as Lamar is, his pocket awareness isn't great. It's why he usually has both high pressure rates and high sack per pressure rates.
I don't think Jackson could operate this offense. I never have.
DeleteOnly problem with Brendel is he isn't nasty enough. He is a good center worth more than the Niners pay him.
ReplyDeleteJeremy Newberry was probably the last center we've had with that nasty streak running through his veins.
DeleteWhy do you think it is that so many 49ers fans think that Brendel needs to be replaced?
ReplyDeleteUninformed.
DeleteI want Brendal replaced next year, because he doesn't play to the whistle. Blocks the first guy and then watches the rest of the play.
DeleteHe is well worth his contract, but no way is he better than Linderbaum who is going to be expensive but will elevate this offense.
All that being said, Foerster and KS will be happy with Brendal one more year and won't look to replace him.
You say, "no way is he better than Linerbaum" which makes sense given he's projected to command $22M on the open market while Brendel is $4M however, do we even know if Linderbaum is smart enough to operate in this offense. Raven's offense isn't known for its complexities to put it mildly.
DeleteWell, the way I look at it... It is because he commands upwards of $20M that he should be able to handle this offense.
DeleteNot sure if you know...but this guy started out as a DL in the IA Hawkeys program. Switched to Offense and subsequently won O-Lineman awards. Tells me he is a quick learner.
He also has 3 pro-bowls to his name (from the same conference as Creed Humphrey). So I'm sure he can handle whatever we throw at him.
But highly unlikely he gets through the open market. He will be either Franchise-tagged/given long term contract or will go play for John Harbaugh in NY.
Biggest difference between him and Humphrey is he ranked 1st in pressure rate allowed while Linderbaum ranked 31st.
DeleteSheesh, now questioning Linderbaum's intelligence. Like Brendel, Linderbaum is responsible for the OL protections and adjustments at the Ravens. And their run game is, in fact, quite complex.
DeleteI wasn't aware he had those responsibilities and probably why I phrased it the way I did. I know their offense is simple, but their run game is from Roman's which, "complex" is fair.
DeleteTed Hurst finished his career with an elite 15.02 career ADOT, with 70% of his career receiving yards coming through the air and nearly half of his total production came on deep targets. 47% of his career yards came on targets 20+ yards downfield, totaling 913 career deep yards.
ReplyDeleteI think we all can agree that the next Center for the San Francisco 49ers will need to grade out as "elite" intelligence. Whether that's in the draft, F/A, Trade or a walk on.
ReplyDeleteI agree with you on the need for "elite" intelligence! BUT the next center for the 9ers must also possess a rare combination of functional strength, elite pad-level leverage, and high-level technical discipline to dominate in both run blocking and pass protection.
DeleteDo you believe there is a center in the 2026 draft that possesses those qualities? If so, who?
I don't see that guy in this draft GEEP. The centers I like are Slaughter, Jones and Hecht, but not convinced any of them end up as more than decent starters.
DeleteHecht likely has the best technique, but Lew is the one I'd target based on potential.
DeleteScooter
DeleteYes, I agree with you...And was the point of my post!
I would also think the same elite qualities applies to the OG the 9er will need to draft, or sign a free agent.
I believe Emmanuel Pregnon would fit, but would likely take a
few games to adjust to the NFL. Same with Chase Bisontis,
but I believe he a better fit for KS ZBS.
What's your take?
Chris Brazzell II (6’5 200) Tennessee
ReplyDelete+ Length/catch radius
+ Deep speed
+ Big play ability
+ Surprising crispness at the top of his routes with his size
+ 3.2% drop rate in 2025
+ Effort as a blocker
+ Ball tracking and body adjustments down the field
- Thinner frame
- Shoulder injury in 2022
- Just a 40.8% career contested catch rate
- Doesn’t force a lot of missed tackles after the catch
Draft projection: Top 50
This is the WR that I think has the most upside. But I don't think KS will draft him. I would be stoked having him in Round 2 if he lasts.
DeleteMy 2nd and 3rd preferred WRs are Denzel Boston and Omar Cooper Jr.
Mug
DeleteMy question on WR Chris Brazzell is, can he get off the los against big, physical press DB's and can he avoid being re-routed by stronger DBs.
GEEP - I think he can and his height and body control will give him an advantage.
DeleteI don't think he is 6'5, but will come it at around 6'4 at the combine. With a year in the NFL, I think he will unstoppable from year 2. Just my opinion.
I see a lot of MVS in Brazzell.
DeleteScooter / Mug
DeleteI can't find tape of Brazzell going up against a big, physical DB that he's gone up against, and the reason I question if he can.
He didn't play in the Senior Bowl, where I thought he may. If you have tape of Brazzell going up against a physical press DB, could you tell me who it was, and what team?
Updated top-100 broken down by position:
ReplyDelete17 - WR
16 - Edge
13 - CB
9 - DT, LB, OT
7 - OG, SAF
5 - TE
3 - QB, RB
2 - C
UTSA's Robert Henry Jr. forced 33 missed tackles and had 16 runs of 15 or more yards on 153 carries last season.
ReplyDeleteGracen Halton’s closing speed at 300 pounds is impressive. Can't wait to see him at the combine.
ReplyDeleteChristian McCaffrey broke down Ricky Pearsall's game and why there's nothing he can't do on the field He outlined why you need to be willing to do everything to be a great WR, including being a sacrificial receiver (his words, not mine, shockingly!)
ReplyDeleteRazor
ReplyDeleteForget all the statistics! When all is said and done, the question that remains to be asked is this:
Can the 9ers beat Seattle or the Rams with Brendel at center?
Can the 9ers beat Seattle or the Rams with Linderbaum?
Well they did beat Seattle with Brendel week 1.😂
DeleteLOL
DeleteRazor
DeleteIMO, Brendel is good enough to beat 90% of all the NFL Teams, it's the 10% that they need to beat to win a SB.
That's the difference between Brendel and Linderbaum!
I think if they put a better LG next to Brendel, get Kittle's blocking back and give Brock another WR that can separate we'll be in good shape.
DeleteI would agree a better LG would help. But Brendel can't stop the Seattle D-line. Brendel himself has described the Seattle defensive front as one of the best in the league at bringing pressure and has often dominated in pass-rushing situations against the 49ers' IOL.
DeleteBrendel has had mixed performance against the Rams' interior d-line, struggling significantly in pass protection while maintaining solid run-blocking grades.
Well, Linderbaum's strength is the running game and not pass pro as his 31st ranking in pressure rate allowed indicates so I'm not sure where you're going with this.
DeleteI'm luke-warm on Brendal. If the 49ers can find someone better I'm fine with that.
DeleteBut, when the Seahawks only give up a total of 9 pts in their last 2 games against the 49ers, Brendal is far from the issue. The defense is still a work in progress and still needs attention. Edge, DT, LB, Safety allowed teams to bully them. I can't blame the defensive youth movement because they will get better. But improvement is needed if the 49ers are to surpass Seattle. Unfortunately, leapfrogging the Seahawks won't happen in 2026, imo.
Razor, while Linderbaum is a better run blocker than pass protector, he's still an average to above average pass protector. Those pressure rate comparisons require context.
DeleteRazor
DeleteAsk yourself these questions:
* Has the Seattle D shut down the 9ers ability to run the ball? And I'm not saying it was all Brendel's fault.
FACTS:
* In recent matchups against Seattle, 9ers C Jake Brendel has struggled in pass protection, mirroring a broader trend of mixed performance throughout the 2024 and 2025 seasons. While he remains a vital "cerebral" leader for the offensive line, his physical pass-blocking against Seattle’s interior pressure has been a focal point of criticism.
* 2025 Divisional Round (Jan 2026): In a 41-6 loss, Brendel struggled against what he described as a "selfless" and "dominant" Seahawks defensive front. He allowed 2 pressures during the game and received a 53.4 offensive grade.
* Season-Long Trends: Brendel's 2024 pass-blocking grade ranked in the bottom tier of centers (39th percentile), though he showed improvement in 2025 with a career-high 62.5 PFF pass-blocking grade, allowing no sacks across the regular season.
That, IMO, verifies what I said. "Brendel is good enough to beat 90% of all the NFL Teams, it's the 10% that they need to beat to win a SB, and the difference between Brendel and Linderbaum!
* 2024 Week 6: During a 36-24 victory, Brendel posted a 45.7 pass-blocking grade, allowing 2 hurries
Ravens OL as a unit ranked 28th in PFF pass-blocking efficiency rating (82.8) after allowing 155 pressures, 17 sacks, on 501 snaps. Vorhees and Faalele were the issue?
DeleteThe 49ers outrushed the Seahawks week 1. Were 7/14 on 3rd down while Seattle was 3/10, 24 1st downs to Seattle's 14. We possessed the ball 38 minutes to Seattle's 22 minutes. We rushed for 119 yards and they rushed for 84.
DeleteThe QB is a large part of the issue.
DeleteIf you had to guess, who do you think had the lowest pressure rate allowed on the Ravens OL?
Got to be Linderbaum.
DeleteSure was. He wasn't their problem in pass pro last year.
DeleteNow guess which QB has routinely been in the top 5 in terms of time to throw since Linderbaum has been in the pros.
Action Jackson.
DeleteI'm not saying Linderbaum is a problem. What I am saying is Linderbaum worth $22M to this team at this juncture and my answer is an emphatic no.
Another thing, if Linderbaum IS the Ravens iOL it would behoove them to pay him the money.
DeleteWhat about next year? What about in 2030?
DeleteBlue chip player entering his prime at a position Shanahan is known to value highly. Can't guarantee you'll be able to find one again any time soon.
And yes, the Ravens absolutely should try and re-sign him. Which they are by all reports trying to do.
DeleteBut Linderbaum knows he's going to get a shirt tonne of interest in FA, so he's got little incentive to sign now.
I might have to go offline for the year if they extend Brendel. Gonna be a meltdown of epic proportions! 😂
DeleteRazor
Delete"The 49ers out rushed the Seahawks week 1"
And yet Seattle RB, Zach Charbonnet, scored the only TD
While Christian McCaffrey had 22 yards for 69 carries for A 3.1 yd AVG...And no TD.
As you point out, it was the first game of the season and Seattle was playing with a new HC, Macdonald, at least 3 new
assistant coaches and The 2025 front 7 roster saw significant restructuring under Macdonald's new defense.
You have to admit the Seattle defense improved as the season
progressed. The front 7 finished the season ranked 3rd against the run.
I'll admit to that as long as you admit week 1 was the best semblance of our actual team.
DeleteRazor
DeleteIf the 9ers extend Brendel, most fans will accept it. Some will complain and not like it, but again, most (not all) will accept it. 49Reasons will be on his soapbox and Grant Cohn and his poison pen will be spreading hate...As always!
The question I'd ask is this. If the o-line costs the 9ers a trip to the SB, or they get to the SB and lose again? Then what? Will KS be criticized for being too frugal to spend the money to sign a top FA center and OG? And would you agree, that yes, he was too frugal? My personal opinion is I want to win a SB!
We got to a SB with Brendel so I don't see any reason why we can't get to another one with him. We even won with Brendel this year even though we were playing without our stars.
DeleteI have no problem with extending Brendel if they can't get Linderbaum.
DeleteLSU S A.J. Haulcy
ReplyDelete6-foot, 222.
Tone-setting mentality. Playmaking instincts + ball production (10 career INTs). Route awareness from depth. Top-down burst to drive on the ball/strike receivers. Fits in Quarters/2-deep scheme.
VJ Payne - Kansas State (66th overall, SAF6)
ReplyDelete- Just from a traits standpoint with his H/W/S at 6’3, 210, 34” arms and clocking in over 23 mph in the spring, not many in this class match Payne and it shows up in coverage. He erases players from the big nickel spot in man. Need some work diagnosing plays in front of him, but he’s got a unique blend of fluidity + physicality.
- Comp: SC Emmanwori lite
Marshal Yanda HOF OG?
ReplyDeleteSteve Smith has KC Concepcion as his #8 WR. Drops, body catcher and ability to get off press his major concerns, which I completely agree with. Also mentioned he apparently is pretty wild off the field.
ReplyDeleteInterestingly, he didn't have either Indiana WR in his top 10.
Not sure where Smith has Boston, but I have him solidly #4.
DeleteYep, he has him #4.
DeleteAntonio Williams and Germie Bernard will both play 10+ years in the NFL.
ReplyDeleteMalik Benson, WR, Oregon might be the 2nd fastest WR in this draft. Probably need to use a 4th rounder on him. One trick pony but it's a trick we need to have available.
ReplyDeleteLooking back at the trade SF executed for Aiyuk:
ReplyDelete49ers receive: Pick 25 in the 2020 NFL Draft
Minnesota gets: Pick 31, 117, and 176 in the 2020 NFL Draft
Could we see a similar move for Denzel Boston if the 49ers are able to get 2nd and 3rd round picks for Mac Jones? 6 spots up is the Pittsburg Steelers at 21 who are rumored to be looking for a CB.
Yes, if they go WR round 1 my guess is they trade up to do so. Patience is not what they're known for when they ID someone they really want!
DeleteWR Jaxon Smith-Njigba told reporters he believes he should be the NFL’s highest-paid WR, which would mean topping $40.25M per year — the current record held by Ja’Marr Chase. Pay the man!
ReplyDeleteSo I think we've talked the Linderbaum debate to death. So, moving onto a tangential thought, if they roll with Brendel, what do people think is the plan at LG?
ReplyDeleteMy main thought is they don't like to pay a lot for OGs. So if they go the FA route, I don't see them going above the mid tier guys. And if they go the draft.... well, I'd hate to use an early pick on a guy that we know if he pans out probably won't be signed to a second contract with the 49ers.
They found a starter in Round 3. Maybe a player like Rutledge is next in line. Chances are they bring in a cheap vet to throw in the mix.
DeleteWhich begs the question... is that enough to get the OL back to performing like in 2023?
DeleteWith Kittle and another WR that can get open and block on the perimeter I don't see why not.
DeleteIn 2023 they got so lucky with Feliciano balling out.
DeleteSeems every year gets more and more interesting. I got to say this year is no exception. This could be the most complex offseason of this regime's tenure.
DeleteSure does.
DeleteFor mine it just keeps coming back to needing to add young blue chip talent. Doesn't really matter where it comes from.