SANTA CLARA –- Jordan Devey has started all nine games at right guard for the 49ers this season, but backup Andrew Tiller has seemingly replaced Devey as the primary player at that spot.
Devey played just nine snaps in the 49ers’ 17-16 victory over the Atlanta Falcons before the bye week, while Tiller was on the field for 48 plays.
It appears Tiller is ready to take over the starting role. Offensive coordinator Geep Chryst said Tiller “provides a nice dimension,” but noted the Tiller-Devey competition on the practice field does not look much different than other weeks.
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Devey has struggled this season after being acquired in a trade with the New England Patriots. His overall grade ranks 57th among 60 guards who have played 60 percent or more of his team’s snaps, according to Pro Football Focus.
Tiller has allowed just two quarterback pressures in 100 pass snaps, while Devey has allowed 23 pressures in 230 snaps in pass protection.
Chryst said Devey has held onto his spot because he has makes few assignment errors. Chryst cited a former colleague who told him “mental mistakes will beat you quicker than the physical mistake.”
“And Jordan coming in during training camp has done a great job of having very few mental mistakes,” Chryst said. “Sometimes we want to see a spectacular play or a spectacular highlight-reel play. Sometimes those guys, especially on the offensive line, that do their jobs and do their jobs well and don’t make mental mistakes have a value. And that’s definitely Jordan’s value.”