Rating: (0 votes - average)

I’ve watched the 49ers play enough the past couple years that I truly do feel great about the Jonathan Goodwin pickup. Even at 35 years old I believe he is a significant upgrade over Brian de la Puente last year and Tim Lelito this year. Durability is one of his obvious strengths, but how has his play on the field been? I personally have been impressed with his performance in the games I’ve watched but I wanted to check the grading system of Pro Football Focus to see if they agreed.

So here is how the grading has gone for Goodwin since 2009 (the year he started for Saints at center and won the Super Bowl):

2009: +15.7 overall, +6.1 pass block, +2.0 screen block, +6.9 run block

2010: -4.0 overall, -1.5 pass block, -0.5 screen block, -4.7 run block

2011: -0.6 overall, -8.1 pass block, +0.5 screen block, +5.3 run block

2012: +13.2 overall, +1.1 pass block, +0.5 screen block, +9.8 run block

2013: +1.9 overall, -1.1 pass block, 0.0 screen block, +2.2 run block

Now PFF isn’t the end all be all by any means, but I still enjoy gauging how Goody’s performance has been in recent years in their estimation. Interesting to note that 2012 was a fantastic year for him (according to PFF) where he received his best run blocking grades of his career. In fact, in three seasons with the 49ers his run blocking grades have been stellar. His pass blocking grades has stabilized since struggling his first season in San Francisco. The screen game doesn’t have much of a place in the 49ers’ offense but I remember that being a huge part of his game and abilities in New Orleans, so he’ll get to add that wrinkle in once again.

Read more: Jonathan Goodwin according to Pro Football Focus | The Saints Nation

exile

Put Grubbs and Evans alongside of him and his ratings will increase. Oh, and Brees behind him helps his pass blocking compared to any 9er QB he played in front of during that time. Goodwin to the rescue IMHO.

|Mitch|

In '10 and '11; he did protect Alex Smith... There is that

jeanpierre

Still believe Tim Lelito would be better than a 35yo Goodwin...

FinSaint

Not unless he can beat out Goodwin for the job.

SaintLeonard

I don't know about that one. The 49ers OL is no joke either. Mike Iupati and Alex Boone are also both great guards, just like Grubbs and Evans.

halloween 65

I still would have drafted a stud for Goodwin or Lelito to fight it out. I just don't know enough about Lelito to trust him, he didn't beat out DLP and DLP was in no way a stud C. Until C is fixed I still say there is a hole in our O-line. I hope Lelito makes me eat my words, I would gladly admit it!!

hagan714

i like my old safety blanket myself. start - bench - what ever. knowing he is there makes me feel so much better than i did after the draft was over and the saints yet again played lets find a gem in the late round for the OL. we are going to get snake bit sooner or later.

Euphoria

They don't have a history of drafting an OL and starting him right away. They tend to let them develop a year or two before throwing them to the fire.

Stealthman

DING, DING, DING: "Ladies & gentlemen: We have a winner!"