Tony

Wragge

Team sources tell the St. Louis Post-Dispatch that Brown was not benched for performance, “consistently” grading out as one of the team’s top linemen. The Rams graded Brown as their second best blocker in last Sunday’s loss to Arizona. It sounds like a mistake was made off the field. Wragge, 32, has not made an NFL start since 2008. He’s sure to be a downgrade.

Undrafted DE Elliott Henigan was waived in a corresponding move. Wragge appeared in 15 games last season, making eight starts. He yet again showed that he wasn’t a starting caliber lineman, grading out as one of the league’s worst centers by Pro Football Focus. Capable of playing guard, Wragge’s versatility will help his cause, but he’s far from guaranteed a roster spot.

San Francisco needs to bolster their depth because of injuries.

Baas, a second-round pick in 2005, is no longer behind Tony Wragge on the depth chart. The Niners have an excellent corps of backup offensive linemen.

Wragge lost his starting job to Chilo Rachal after ten games last year, but the 49ers are still high on him as a backup at all three interior positions.

Rachal, last year’s 39th overall pick, immediately became one of the Niners’ top linemen in his rookie season, but has experienced a sophomore slump. Versatile sub Tony Wragge could push Rachal during bye week practices.

He may not have a starting job when he returns, however. Tony Wragge and rookie Chilo Rachal will both get long looks in training camp. In coordinator Mike Martz’s pass-heavy offense, the best protector of the trio figures to win.

RG David Baas (torn pectorals) still hasn’t practiced, so the team is currently without both starting guards. Rookie Chilo Rachal will likely be plugged into the lineup with Tony Wragge moving to left guard. The state of San Francisco’s entire offense does not look promising.

In the mean time, rookie Chilo Rachal and Tony Wragge will compete for his job. Baas may not get the job back even after he’s fully recovered.