Niner Noise
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San Francisco 49ers: 5 free agents worth targeting in 2018

By Peter Panacy

SANTA CLARA, CA - NOVEMBER 20: Chris Harper #14 of the San Francisco 49ers makes a catch over Malcolm Butler #21 of the New England Patriots during their NFL game at Levi's Stadium on November 20, 2016 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)
SANTA CLARA, CA - NOVEMBER 20: Chris Harper #14 of the San Francisco 49ers makes a catch over Malcolm Butler #21 of the New England Patriots during their NFL game at Levi's Stadium on November 20, 2016 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images) /
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CHARLOTTE, NC – NOVEMBER 02: Frank Gore #23 of the Indianapolis Colts warms up before their game against the Carolina Panthers at Bank of America Stadium on November 2, 2015 in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images)
CHARLOTTE, NC – NOVEMBER 02: Frank Gore #23 of the Indianapolis Colts warms up before their game against the Carolina Panthers at Bank of America Stadium on November 2, 2015 in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images) /

2017 Base Salary: $3,500,000. Frank Gore. 1. player. 46. . Running Back

This is for purely sentimental reasons. But there are others as well.

And if you’re wondering why the 49ers would want to bring back the franchise’s all-time leading rusher, Frank Gore, the bigger question would be, “why not?”.

Gore, who will be 35 years old next season, has defied Father Time long enough. And while his numbers since leaving San Francisco in 2015 have certainly declined, there is enough reasonable evidence to support the idea he’d have something to offer the Niners offense on a limited basis in 2018.

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A featured tailback? No. That’s out of the question. But he remains one of the best pass-blocking running backs in the NFL, which lends some value. Especially with a questionable 49ers offensive line.

And just think, would you rather have a No. 3 tailback like Raheem Mostert on the roster? Or would it be worth signing Gore to a one-year deal to bring him back where it all started?

Let’s go with the latter, especially if he can be part of the team’s road back to playoff contention.

Next: 49ers' uber-hypothetical 2018 free agency

We just miss you, Frank.