Niner Noise
FanSided

Re-sign or let walk: Making the call on 49ers’ free agents in 2018

By Peter Panacy

LOS ANGELES, CA - DECEMBER 24: Carlos Hyde #28 of the San Francisco 49ers celebrates scoring a touchdown during the first quarter against the Los Angeles Rams at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum on December 24, 2016 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CA - DECEMBER 24: Carlos Hyde #28 of the San Francisco 49ers celebrates scoring a touchdown during the first quarter against the Los Angeles Rams at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum on December 24, 2016 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
10 of 14
Next
SANTA CLARA, CA – AUGUST 31: Austin Ekeler #3 of the Los Angeles Chargers is tackled by Brock Coyle #50 of the San Francisco 49ers at Levi’s Stadium on August 31, 2017 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)
SANTA CLARA, CA – AUGUST 31: Austin Ekeler #3 of the Los Angeles Chargers is tackled by Brock Coyle #50 of the San Francisco 49ers at Levi’s Stadium on August 31, 2017 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images) /

Linebacker Brock Coyle

One would assume the 49ers would rather have former Niners linebacker NaVorro Bowman starting over Brock Coyle. But Bowman is gone now, and Coyle has seen quite a number of first-team snaps over the last two weeks.

Cut out for this, Coyle is not. In fairness, though, Coyle’s job wasn’t to be a starting linebacker when he was signed last offseason.

Coyle is a special teams ace and reserve option at best. Like the moves made by Kyle Shanahan for his offense, Coyle comes from the Seattle Seahawks’ style of defense — a tailor-made fit for defensive coordinator Robert Saleh.

Keeping some continuity on special teams is important, although that would be the only reason Coyle is retained for 2018.

Prediction: Re-signed