49ers rookie Dominick Puni shows tireless commitment to improvement

SANTA CLARA – If you didn't know better, you'd assume 49ers rookie Dominick Puni is a 10-year NFL veteran based on his demeanor on and off the field.

The 2024 third-round draft pick was among San Francisco's best players entering his first professional season, which is no surprise given his incredible attention to detail and tireless work ethic.

“If you don't work hard, talent doesn't matter,” Puni told NBC Sports Bay Area after the 49ers' 30-13 win over the New England Patriots on Sunday at Levi's Stadium. “So we still have to work hard and go out and play hard.”

Puni was outstanding in the win and finished Sunday's win over New England as San Francisco's highest-graded offensive player (85.8) at any position, according to Pro Football Focus. The rookie guard didn't allow a single quarterback pressure in 29 pass-blocking snaps and played a crucial role in holding quarterback Brock Purdy up against the Patriots' formidable defensive front.

Puni refuses to become complacent despite his early success and continues to focus on what can be improved rather than focusing on celebrating the spoils of victory.

“I feel like there's still a lot of things to figure out, but just the way we were able to move the ball today… we moved as a unit,” Puni said. “Like everyone was in the loop and everyone knew what they were doing. I would say we are making good progress.”

The rookie guard now has four starts in the NFL regular season and cited the playbook as the area where he has the biggest growing pains as he makes the jump from college to the pros.

“I would just say it’s still the playbook,” Puni said. “It's just little details in every play that you just have to try and master. I don't feel like I've accomplished it yet. For example, the timing of the play, when the ball falls back, when it hits. “Front side, when you can get off your block, I have to figure all that out.

Puni's stubborn desire to improve fits perfectly with the offensive wisdom available to him with the 49ers. Offensive line coach Chris Foerster has nearly three decades of NFL experience and has worked with numerous Hall of Famers during his time in the league.

One of the greats who plays under Foerster is eleven-time Pro Bowl player Trent Williams. While it's natural to want to embody someone as talented as Williams, Puni explained he quickly learned that there are players who simply exist in a league of their own – and his teammate just happens to be one of them.

“Trent, he’s just different. I don't think there are too many people who can do what he can do. That’s what I learned, he’s just different,” Puni said. “He sees so much that he doesn’t really have to ask questions. He knows what to do. I just pick up on things like his work ethic, how he carries out his routine, he's been doing this for 15 years. I'm just trying to really channel him.

Whatever he did to emulate the three-time All-Pro appears to have resonated with Williams, who praised Puni's maturity when speaking to reporters earlier this season.

“He's just so mature for his age…He's so ahead of the curve, though, that he probably doesn't need much from me,” Williams said.

Puni's immediate emergence gives the 49ers an above-average starting player on a rookie contract, an invaluable asset for a franchise with dwindling financial flexibility in the heart of a Super Bowl window.

More importantly, Puni allows San Francisco to dream of a future in which he becomes a staple of the 49ers' offensive line for years to come, perhaps one day replacing Williams as the undisputed leader of the group.

After all, Williams is in his 14th NFL season and Puni's schedule reflects Purdy's favorably since the two are only one year old.

However, all of this can be clarified in the future. For now, Puni's tenacity will continue to fuel his personal growth – a development that will set him on the path to greatness.

“Every game there are things that need to be cleaned up,” Puni said. “We had a good game this game and there are still a few things to sort out. I’m ready to go to the film room.”

Download and follow the 49ers Talk Podcast