Dominick Puni

Summary

Dominick Puni was selected in Round 3 (#86 Overall) out of the University of Kansas. After a six-year collegiate career with the Jayhawks that saw him rise from a Division II program at Central Missouri into a Power Five standout on the offensive line, Puni appeared in 42 games with 38 starts, earning All‑Big 12 First Team honors in 2023 and being named a Polynesian Football Player of the Year finalist while playing primarily at left tackle. Since entering the NFL, Puni has been entrenched as a regular starter at right guard, logging 28 starts through 2025 while showing early promise in both pass protection and run blocking. He played every snap as a rookie and earned All‑Rookie recognition from PFWA, though his sophomore season grade dipped partly due to injury and growing pains. Puni’s journey has been marked by adaptability, competitiveness, and coachability, and he is widely respected for his work ethic, professionalism, and willingness to compete at a high level despite his unconventional path from Division II to the NFL.

Strengths

• Technical Pass Protection: Despite not playing much football, Puni is rarely beaten cleanly and excels in hand placement, depth of set, and anchor.

• Run‑Blocking Violence: Displays strong hands and the power to displace defenders once he establishes contact. Quick off the ball and capable of executing reach blocks or pulling in zone schemes relative to his size.

• Versatility Across the Line: Experience at both tackle spots and guard offers roster flexibility in the event of injury.

• Calm & Controlled Demeanor: Patient and calculated engagement and doesn’t overextend or allow rushers to leverage his aggressiveness.

Weaknesses

• Pad Level / Posture: Can play high at times, which affects leverage and balance, especially against powerful rushers.

• Lateral Range: Not elite in lateral quickness with limited ability to mirror edge speed in space, making his long-term home at right guard the best fit in the NFL.

• Hand Strike Consistency: Though effective, placement can occasionally be mistimed, letting defenders slip off blocks.

• Sophomore Variance: Experienced a drop in performance grade in his second NFL season and dealt with lingering knee issues affecting play quality. Has shown moments of frustration or mental lapse leading to penalties in tough game situations.

Outlook

Puni projects as a multi‑year starter on the interior of a pro‑style offensive line, with his best fit being guard in gap‑ and zone‑blocking schemes that emphasize solid pass protection and coordinated line movement. His technical strengths, particularly in pass sets, make him valuable in offenses that prioritize keeping the quarterback clean and executing precision blocking calls. Puni’s experience at left tackle also gives coaches flexibility to shift him where needed without sacrificing performance. For the 49ers, Puni’s outlook remains positive: he has already demonstrated the ability to hold up against NFL competition and earn starting assignments as a rookie, and his work ethic and character support continued growth. If he refines his leverage, pad level, and consistency against elite bull rushers, he has the upside to develop into a dependable multi‑year starter, possibly rising to above‑average guard play with occasional matchup advantages. While his athletic profile may not project to Pro Bowl superstardom, Puni’s versatility, durability, and professional approach suggest a long, stable NFL career as a core offensive lineman.