San Francisco 49ers: Identifying the 5 best players in 2017 so far
By Peter Panacy
With the San Francisco 49ers heading towards their bye week, Niner Noise takes a look at the five best players head coach Kyle Shanahan has had thus far in 2017.
The San Francisco 49ers hit their bye week after pulling off their first victory of 2017 over the New York Giants.
Since it’s a relatively slow week, Niner Noise wants to take a look at some of the better players the 1-9 Niners have had this season. Sure, it’s been a year riddled by injury and self-inflicted wounds. But there have been a few promising pieces and moments from a young, rebuilding team.
In this slideshow, we’ll identify the five best players head coach Kyle Shanahan has had at his disposal and why.
San Francisco 49ers
Considering the long road this team has to take to get back to respectability, it’s safe to say most of these five are pretty important pieces moving forward.
Before we begin, though, let’s look at some honorable mentions.
Honorable Mentions
Wide Receiver Pierre Garçon
We can’t put veteran wide receiver Pierre Garçon on the actual list, as he landed on season-ending injured reserve with a neck injury. If that hadn’t happened, there would be no doubt about him being a top-five contributor this season.
Garçon was on pace to have an 80-reception, 1,000-yard season before going down with his injury in Week 8. Up to that point, his reliability and physicality were traits the Niners offense sorely needed.
Safety Jaquiski Tartt
Like Garçon, safety Jaquiski Tartt would easily be within the top five if it wasn’t for a season-ending injury (broken arm).
Tartt’s ascendance this season forced the veteran, Eric Reid, out of a starting strong safety spot. And with Reid heading towards free agency this offseason, it’s likely the 49ers prefer to go with the younger, cheaper Tartt moving forward.
Right Guard Brandon Fusco
You might not hear his name called too much, but right guard Brandon Fusco has quietly emerged as one of the better 49ers offensive linemen this season.
Fusco’s 77.5 overall grade ranks 18th out of 78 qualifying guards this season, per Pro Football Focus. And while San Francisco’s interior O-line play hasn’t been great all year, Fusco clearly isn’t the problem.
Like Reid, Fusco is a free agent this offseason. But it might be in the Niners’ best interest to re-sign him to help alleviate this pressing need up front.