Despite allowing the 6th-fewest hurries, the 13th-fewest hits, the 5th-fewest pressures, and the 6th-fewest sacks, the San Francisco 49ers offensive line was inconsistent, ranking 20th in pass block win rate and 23rd in run block win rate in the league.
Outside Trent Williams, the 49ers’ offensive line was inconsistent, including their starting center.
The San Francisco 49ers starting center was inconsistent in 2023.
Jake Brendel started every game as the starting center for the 49ers. Brendel had one penalty, two sacks allowed, a 63.9 PFF Grade in the regular season, zero penalties, zero sacks allowed, and a 71.2 PFF Grade in the postseason.
Even though he put up decent numbers, he could do better.
The 49ers signed an undrafted free agent to a contract.
The San Francisco 49ers signed an undrafted free agent to a contract.
The 49ers officially signed Drake Nugent as an undrafted free agent.
Nugent spent the last season in Michigan.
Drake Nugent spent the 2023 season with the Michigan Wolverines.
After spending the first four years of his collegiate career with the Stanford Cardinal, Nugent transferred to the Wolverines for the 2023 season.
He played every game with seven hurries, one hit, one sack allowed, and a 78.0 PFF Grade. The Big Ten named him to their All-Big Ten First Team.
Lance Zierlein did a scouting report on Drake Nugent.
Lance Zierlein of NFL Network did a scouting report on Nugent.
“Nugent comes from NFL bloodlines (his father, Terry Nugent, played for the Colts and Browns) and an extended family with a college football background (his uncle, Brian, played at Washington State).
“The former high school shot-put champ is stout and powerful through his upper body but lacks the size, length and leverage many teams will be looking for. He’s well-versed as a technician but might see his success decrease away from home base.
“Nugent does well at protecting his gaps in pass protection and battles back against bull rushers but doesn’t have the foot quickness to survive on an island if isolated against an athletic rusher. Nugent has a shot at making an NFL roster, but the ceiling could be fairly low for him.”
