Throughout training camp, Joe Staley has been especially impressed with rookie offensive lineman Jaylon Moore, a ‘key part’ for the 49ers this upcoming season.
Jaylon Moore is not ready to become the next Joe Staley, but the man himself was impressed with what he saw from the fifth-round draft pick.
Moore was the only 49ers player to be on the field for every snap -- 68 offensive plays -- of the 49ers’ exhibition game against the Los Angeles Chargers on Sunday night.
Staley had an up-close look at the 49ers' offensive linemen on the practice field and in the film room as he spent time with the coaching staff last week in Southern California.
Stay in the game with the latest updates on your beloved Bay Area and California sports teams! Sign up here for our All Access Daily newsletter.
“He was getting all the reps,” Staley said of Moore, “so I was intrigued. ‘What’s this kid’s story?’”
Staley, who played collegiately at Central Michigan, was interested to learn more about Moore, who played at Western Michigan. They share the common background of being two-time All-Mid-American Conference selections.
Staley said he was impressed when he observed Moore’s approach.
“He’s a very soft-spoken, a very quiet rookie, which for me as an older guy, you always respect those guys who come in and want to learn,” Staley said.
San Francisco 49ers
Find the latest San Francisco 49ers news, highlights, analysis and more with NBC Sports Bay Area and California.
RELATED: Staley evaluates Lance's 'unreal' arm, areas of improvement
Staley said he could see that Moore hung around 49ers Pro Bowl left tackle Trent Williams to gain whatever knowledge he could.
“Another thing that really struck me, he was really eager to get into Trent’s ear and listen to what Trent was coaching up and things that he would see,” Staley said.
“To see Trent do that with Jaylon in those two days I was there in practice was really cool to see.”
When the 49ers selected Moore on Day 3 of the 2021 NFL Draft, the immediate plan was to move him inside to play guard.
Instead, Moore (6-foot-4, 311 pounds) has lined up exclusively at tackle. He has played himself into position to win the job as the swing tackle, backing up Williams and right tackle Mike McGlinchey.
Staley believes Moore is at the position that fits him the best.
“I think right now, watching the film that I saw, because he was only getting reps at tackle, he looks like a natural tackle because of the movement skills and the stuff you really can’t teach,” he said.
