SANTA CLARA -- During his time away from the game, Anthony Davis promised to return and be the best right tackle in the NFL.
As it turned out, he was not even the best right tackle on the 49ers.
Trent Brown, a seventh-round pick in 2015 who started just two games as a rookie, suddenly emerged during training camp as the no-questions-asked starter. Listed at 6 foot 8, 355 pounds, Brown came to the 49ers with good size, unusually nimble feet and a lot of potential. He is turning that potential into reality.
“He has not scratched the surface in terms of how good he can be,” 49ers coach Chip Kelly said. “That’s the exciting thing about him, because he has such a high ceiling. But you continue to see the little teeny things and the little and teeny improvements that go on on a weekly basis.”
Brown played so well during two practices against the Denver Broncos in training camp that even Super Bowl MVP Von Miller raved about him in a conversation with teammate DeMarcus Ware. Davis, who was diagnosed with a concussion last Thursday, opened the season on the sideline as Brown’s backup.
And Brown has started the season in strong fashion, too. In 81 pass plays, Brown has yet to allow a sack or a quarterback hit. He has been responsible for just one quarterback pressure, according to Pro Football Focus.
“I think Trent’s been really good in our first two games,” Kelly said. “Obviously, it’s really his first two games with us and his chance in a new system, but I think he’s adapted really well to what we’re doing. I think he’s been equally good in both run blocking and pass blocking.
“He continues to get better on a weekly basis and we’re really excited about what trajectory he’s headed on right now.”
