Dominick Puni Is One Of PFF’s Highest-Graded Rookies This Year

The San Francisco 49ers’ offensive line has had its good moments and bad moments this season. Trent Williams, when healthy, has remained arguably the best left tackle in the NFL, even at age 36. Unfortunately, he has been dealing with an ankle injury lately and will miss his fourth straight game this Sunday when the Niners play the Miami Dolphins.

Center Jake Brandel has been poor at times, and they would love to have an upgrade over Colton McKivitz at right tackle.

But rookie starting right guard Dominick Puni has been a revelation for head coach Kyle Shanahan. He has allowed just three sacks this season, and overall, he has earned Pro Football Focus’ fourth-highest grade among all rookies this season.

PFF’s highest-graded rookies this season:

1. Jayden Daniels: 88.3
2. Jared Verse: 85.1
3. Brock Bowers: 84.3
4. Dominick Puni: 83.5
5. Malik Nabers: 82.0
6. Cooper DeJean: 80.6 pic.twitter.com/9YvJTl3dK3

— Coach Yac 🗣 (@Coach_Yac) December 20, 2024

Puni, a third-round draft pick out of the University of Kansas, has been a big reason the Niners’ offensive line is no longer one of the league’s worst, as it was last season. It still has its issues, and many want the team to make addressing those issues a high priority in April’s draft. But Puni has given that offensive line few could’ve imagined less than a calendar year ago.