Strange, but it felt like Dominick Puni broke out in his rookie year in 2024. Unfortunately, his 2025 saw a bit of a regression after a solid 2024 campaign. Blame it on a PCL injury in August, but that was just his first month.
Could the San Francisco 49ers' right guard be poised for a breakout? It wouldn't be the first time we've seen a player go from a decent rookie season to a step back in year 2 and then get it all together in year 3.
Over at NFL.com, Bucky Brooks put together an offensive all-breakout team of one player per position who he thought would have a significant rise in stock. Puni was the only 49er who made the list:
The 2024 third-round pick has started 36 consecutive games (postseason included) in an offense that relies on his punishing skills at the point of attack. As a mauler who specializes in moving defenders off the ball, Puni is an essential piece to the 49ers' dynamic running game. Although the heavy-handed shadow boxer must continue to improve in pass protection, San Francisco has a Pro Bowler in the making at right guard.
The final year of Puni's contract is 2027, so that gives him two more years to justify a lucrative extension. As KP said in the post linked above, New York Jets' Joe Tippmann is a good comparison of what kind of extension Puni could get right now—but Puni's actual numbers resemble Dallas Cowboys' Tyler Smith.
Could the San Francisco 49ers' right guard be poised for a breakout? It wouldn't be the first time we've seen a player go from a decent rookie season to a step back in year 2 and then get it all together in year 3.
Over at NFL.com, Bucky Brooks put together an offensive all-breakout team of one player per position who he thought would have a significant rise in stock. Puni was the only 49er who made the list:
The 2024 third-round pick has started 36 consecutive games (postseason included) in an offense that relies on his punishing skills at the point of attack. As a mauler who specializes in moving defenders off the ball, Puni is an essential piece to the 49ers' dynamic running game. Although the heavy-handed shadow boxer must continue to improve in pass protection, San Francisco has a Pro Bowler in the making at right guard.
The final year of Puni's contract is 2027, so that gives him two more years to justify a lucrative extension. As KP said in the post linked above, New York Jets' Joe Tippmann is a good comparison of what kind of extension Puni could get right now—but Puni's actual numbers resemble Dallas Cowboys' Tyler Smith.
18 days ago
