The 49ers on Wednesday upgraded their offensive line via waivers when they claimed former Browns offensive lineman Blake Hance. There’s no word on the corresponding move the team will need to make to keep their roster at the 53-player threshold.
Hance joined the NFL in 2019 as an undrafted free agent from Northwestern. He spent the 2019 preseason with Washington before making his way to the Browns where he spent 2021 and the 2022 preseason.
While he’s played well in preseason action, Hance struggled in the regular season last year. He played in 14 games at both tackle spots and earned an overall grade of 56.7 from Pro Football Focus. His run blocking grade was a respectable 70.3, but he struggled as a pass protector and allowed 31 pressures in 366 pass blocking snaps.
The good news for San Francisco, which will likely play him at guard, is that he thrived at right guard for the Browns in this year’s preseason after spending his career at offensive tackle. If he continues that run of good play on the interior, he could be a factor on an offensive line that needs some stability.
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