Niners Experimenting to Get Depth Behind Kilgore

Former Oregon nose tackle Balducci is being converted to center to compete with Martin for spot on offensive line

In 2015, the 49ers suffered a big setback with the loss of center Daniel Kilgore for much of the season. His replacement, Marcus Martin, played poorly, and the weakness in the center of the offensive line had ripple effects for the entire offense.

Kilgore returned to play in the final five games and the 49ers are counting on him to be a rock in 2016 on a unit that will likely have two new starting guards in Zane Beadles and rookie first-rounder Josh Garnett and possibly second-year man Trent Brown at right tackle.

But the 49ers also are trying an experiment with former Oregon defensive lineman Alex Balducci to provide insurance and competition behind Kilgore.

Balducci, who signed with the team as an unrestricted free agent, is being cast in the current organized team activities (OTAs) as a center, reports Matt Barrows of the Sacramento Bee The 6-foot-3, 309-pounder was a nose tackle for the Ducks, but pro scouting reports on Balducci focused on his lack of athleticism as a defensive lineman.

In OTAs, Balducci is working at center behind both Kilgore and Martin.

“The conversion suggests that the 49ers like Balducci’s tenacity and character but don’t think he’s athletic enough to play defense,” wrote Barrows, who noted that Balducci played on both the offensive and defensive lines in high school. In fact, Balducci was considered one of the top offensive linemen on the West Coast as a prep, but was used exclusively on defense at Oregon.

Barrows said initial observations of Balducci in OTAs indicate he doesn’t “look out of place” in his new position while working with new offensive line coach Pat Flaherty.

In his career at Oregon, Balducci had 77 tackles, 10½ tackles for loss and 4½ sacks and received honorable mention on the Pac-12’s all-conference team his final season.

If Balducci makes a smooth transition back to offense, the 49ers will gain some depth and versatility behind Kilgore for 2016.

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