Puni’s dedicated work ethic puts 49ers rookie on path to greatness originally appeared on NBC Sports Bay Area
SANTA CLARA – If you didn’t know any better, you’d assume 49ers rookie Dominick Puni is a 10-year NFL veteran based on the way he carries himself on and off the field.
THE Third-round pick in the 2024 draft is among the best players in San Francisco entering his first professional season, which is no surprise considering his incredible attention to detail and hard work ethic.
“If you don’t work hard, talent doesn’t matter,” Puni told NBC Sports Bay Area after the 49ers’ 30-13 victory over the New England Patriots on Sunday at Levi’s Stadium. “So we still have to work hard, go out there and play hard.”
Puni was outstanding in the win, finishing Sunday’s win over New England as San Francisco’s highest-rated offensive player (85.8) across all positions. by Pro Football Focus. The rookie guard didn’t allow a single quarterback pressure on 29 pass-blocking snaps, playing a vital role in keeping quarterback Brock Purdy upright against the Patriots’ formidable defensive front.
Puni does not become complacent despite his early success, remaining focused on what can be improved rather than getting lost in celebrating the spoils of victory.
“I feel like there’s still a lot to clean up, but the way we were able to move the ball today…we acted as one,” Puni said. “Like everyone is on their keys and everyone knows what they’re doing. I would say we’re hitting our stride.”
The rookie guard now has four NFL regular season starts under his belt and pointed to the playbook as the area he’s having the most growing pains in while transitioning from college to the pros.
“I would just say the playbook,” Puni said. “It’s just little details in every play that you have to try to master. I don’t feel like I’ve done it yet. Like the timing of the play, when the ball is going to cut, when it’s going to hit. front side, when you can get out of your block, all of that is stuff that I have to understand.
Puni’s persistent desire to improve is a perfect match for the offensive line wisdom he has with the 49ers. Offensive line coach Chris Foerster has nearly three decades of experience in the NFL and has worked with numerous Hall of Famers during his time in the league.
Among the great players to play under Foerster is Trent Williams, an 11-time Pro Bowler. While it’s natural to want to play someone as talented as Williams, Puni explained the lesson he quickly learned, which is that there are simply players who exist in their own league – and that his teammate happens to be one of them.
“Trent, he’s just different. I don’t think there’s a lot of people that can do what he can do. That’s what I’ve learned, he’s just different,” Puni said. “He sees so much, he doesn’t really need to ask questions. He knows what to do. I just understand things like his work ethic, the way he does his routine, he’s been doing it for 15 years. I’m just trying to channel it for real.”
Whatever he did to emulate the three-time All-Pro seems to have resonated with Williams, who praised Puni’s maturity while speaking to reporters earlier this season.
“He’s (Punished) so mature for his age…He’s so ahead of the curve, though, he probably doesn’t need much from me,” Williams said.
The immediate emergence of Puni gives the 49ers an above-average starting guard on a rookie contract, an invaluable asset for a franchise whose financial flexibility is dwindling in the heart of a Super Bowl window.
More importantly, Puni allows San Francisco to dream of a future where he becomes a foundational piece of the 49ers offensive line for years to come, perhaps one day taking over from Williams as the group’s undisputed leader .
After all, Williams is in his 14th season in the NFLand Puni’s timeline favorably reflects Purdy’s, with the couple being only a year apart.
However, this can all be fixed in the future. For now, Puni’s tenacity will continue to enhance his own personal progression – a progression that puts him on the path to greatness.
“There are things to clean up every game,” Puni said. “We had a good game, and there are still things to clean up. I’m ready to get in the film room.”
