Niner Noise
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San Francisco 49ers: Top 5 players who have underachieved the most in 2017

By Peter Panacy

SANTA CLARA, CA - OCTOBER 02: Center Daniel Kilgore #67 of the San Francisco 49ers prepares to snap the ball during the second quarter against the Dallas Cowboys at Levi's Stadium on October 2, 2016 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)
SANTA CLARA, CA - OCTOBER 02: Center Daniel Kilgore #67 of the San Francisco 49ers prepares to snap the ball during the second quarter against the Dallas Cowboys at Levi's Stadium on October 2, 2016 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images) /
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GREEN BAY, WI – SEPTEMBER 25: Christian Ringo #99 of the Green Bay Packers rushes against Laken Tomlinson #72 of the Detroit Lions at Lambeau Field on September 25, 2016 in Green Bay, Wisconsin. (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images)
GREEN BAY, WI – SEPTEMBER 25: Christian Ringo #99 of the Green Bay Packers rushes against Laken Tomlinson #72 of the Detroit Lions at Lambeau Field on September 25, 2016 in Green Bay, Wisconsin. (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images) /

No. 1: Offensive Guard Laken Tomlinson

On one hand, left guard Laken Tomlinson is an upgrade over the veteran, Zane Beadles. But not by much.

As noted earlier, San Francisco’s interior offensive line play has been a primary liability almost all season, and Tomlinson is a major reason why. One could argue the O-line is the Niners’ biggest weakness. And if Tomlinson is the weakest link, it makes sense to put him at No. 1 on this list.

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Tomlinson has allowed three sacks on the year, and his 29 total quarterback pressures allowed rank second in the NFL, according to Pro Football Focus. All this has equated to a 45.8 overall PFF grade on the year, prompting talk the 49ers will have to address this position via the NFL Draft this offseason.

It’s possible San Francisco won’t worry as much about this spot along the O-line as much next year, though, as second-year guard Joshua Garnett (knee) is expected back off injured reserve.

But we can’t possibly know how well Garnett’s development will progress or even if the 49ers regime sees the former first-round pick as a legitimate piece of the puzzle.

Next: 49ers' Week 11 stock report after win over Giants

Remember, Tomlinson was a first-round pick too, and his efforts have been anything but inspiring.