49ers Coach Chris Foerster Lauds Rookie Dominick Puni’s Potential and Versatility
The San Francisco 49ers are known for their meticulous approach to team building, and their recent third-round draft pick, Dominick Puni, is no exception. The team’s offensive line coach, Chris Foerster, recently shed light on Puni’s potential and what he brings to the table as the 49ers prepare for the upcoming season.
During the early Organized Team Activities (OTAs), Puni was running with the second team at right guard. However, this does not necessarily mean he will spend the entire season as a backup. Foerster provided a comprehensive breakdown of Puni’s attributes and how they align with the team’s needs.
“You didn’t see a lot on tape that was what we do,” Foerster remarked about Puni’s college performance. “But you saw in his testing, and you saw glimpses of it on tape. He is one of those guys that, we’ve talked about a lot of times, where you look at him and you’d say, ‘Gosh, is that guy for you?’ We drafted [OL Aaron] Banks and it was the same way.”
Foerster compared Puni to the team’s starting left guard, Aaron Banks, pointing out that initial impressions can sometimes be deceiving. Banks, a “big old guard from Notre Dame,” wasn’t a clear fit at first glance, but his performance in certain drills indicated potential. Similarly, Puni’s testing and on-field glimpses suggested he could adapt well to the 49ers’ system.
Puni’s size, quickness, and power were key factors that caught Foerster’s eye. Despite not fitting the prototypical mold of a 49ers guard, Puni’s physical traits were promising. “He’s not the prototypical little quick guy, he is a guy that’s got the size range and length. One of those guys that will be holed up on third down, he was a very good pass blocker in college, that should translate to our game. And then, getting him to do our run game is going to be his biggest adjustment,” Foerster explained.
Foerster emphasized that the quicker Puni adjusts to the team’s running game, the sooner he will see significant playing time. Puni’s versatility is another asset. While primarily viewed as a guard, he has experience playing tackle and even some snaps at center. “He’s played guard and tackle, I think. I don’t know, he might’ve even played center at some point, but he’s built to be a guard,” Foerster said. This flexibility could prove invaluable, especially in the event of injuries across the offensive line.
Despite Puni’s potential to fill various roles, Foerster plans to focus on developing him as a right guard initially. This position is seen as a spot where Puni could generate competition and potentially secure a starting role. “We’ll primarily work him at right guard right now. That’s a place we felt we could get some competition going and work at that spot,” Foerster noted.
Interestingly, while Puni’s short shuttle times were impressive, Foerster clarified that athletic testing numbers were not the primary reason for drafting him. Instead, it was Puni’s traits that stood out. “A short shuttle to me is a science. Short shuttle, you can train the kid to run a short shuttle… but that doesn’t demonstrate as much of their core skills, right? The three-cone drill has a little harder. It doesn’t matter how technical you are,” he said, emphasizing that core traits and on-field performance are more telling.
Foerster’s remarks underscore the 49ers’ approach of valuing player traits and potential over purely athletic metrics. This philosophy has guided their draft choices and team-building strategies, aiming for a balanced roster capable of adapting to various in-game scenarios.
As the 49ers inch closer to the new season, all eyes will be on Dominick Puni to see how quickly he can adapt and make his mark on the team. His journey from a promising draft pick to a potential key player in the 49ers’ lineup will be one to watch.
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