49ers give rookie Carver Willis another start at left guard to accelerate development

The San Francisco 49ers are expected to start rookie Carver Willis at left guard in Thursday's preseason finale against the Raiders. Willis, a fourth-round pick, has been taking first-team reps due to injuries to other candidates. The team believes he needs the repetitions to convert from college tackle to guard in Kyle Shanahan's system.

Willis played exclusively at tackle for Washington in college, making his conversion to guard a significant technical challenge within Kyle Shanahan's intricate blocking scheme. His path has been eased by an injury wave: Robert Jones (calf), Brett Toth (concussion), and Austen Pleasants (knee) are all sidelined, while Connor Colby has slipped to the second-team unit. The 49ers' urgency stems partly from last season's drop in rushing efficiency, which fell from a 4.52-yard average under Shanahan to 3.78 yards per carry.

The team's commitment to Willis is notable given precedent. Colton McKivitz attempted the same tackle-to-guard transition as a 2020 rookie and was ultimately cut, later returning only at his natural tackle position. Willis acknowledges his run-blocking angles remain imperfect, though offensive coordinator Klay Kubiak has expressed confidence in his trajectory. With the season opener in Australia just days away, the 49ers appear willing to let Willis develop through live-game repetitions.