Niner Noise
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San Francisco 49ers: Identifying the 5 best players in 2017 so far

By Peter Panacy

SANTA CLARA, CA - OCTOBER 22: Reuben Foster #56 of the San Francisco 49ers takes the field prior to their NFL game against the Dallas Cowboys at Levi's Stadium on October 22, 2017 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)
SANTA CLARA, CA - OCTOBER 22: Reuben Foster #56 of the San Francisco 49ers takes the field prior to their NFL game against the Dallas Cowboys at Levi's Stadium on October 22, 2017 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images) /
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SANTA CLARA, CA – SEPTEMBER 21: Joe Staley #74 of the San Francisco 49ers celebrates after a play against the Los Angeles Rams during their NFL game at Levi’s Stadium on September 21, 2017 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)
SANTA CLARA, CA – SEPTEMBER 21: Joe Staley #74 of the San Francisco 49ers celebrates after a play against the Los Angeles Rams during their NFL game at Levi’s Stadium on September 21, 2017 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images) /

No. 4: Left Tackle Joe Staley

It’s pretty safe to say the Niners’ best offensive lineman is left tackle Joe Staley.

We saw this when Staley was out with an eye injury in Week 9, forcing the 49ers to shake up their O-line against the Arizona Cardinals. And all this resulted in a five-sack, 16-quarterback-hit performance from Arizona’s defense.

Not pretty.

Staley isn’t the top-graded Niners O-lineman, per Pro Football Focus. His 78.1 overall grade is just a shade below right tackle Trent Brown (79.6).

But Staley is tasked with facing the more-elite edge rushers on a weekly basis, making his responsibility all the more important.

At 33 years old, it’s safe to say Staley is still getting the job done at a good level.