Niner Noise
FanSided

San Francisco 49ers: Which players wind up making the Pro Bowl this season?

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 – NOVEMBER 12: Jason Pierre-Paul #90 of the New York Giants rushes against Trent Brown #77 of the San Francisco 49ers during their NFL game at Levi’s Stadium on November 12, 2017 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)
SANTA CLARA, CA – NOVEMBER 12: Jason Pierre-Paul #90 of the New York Giants rushes against Trent Brown #77 of the San Francisco 49ers during their NFL game at Levi’s Stadium on November 12, 2017 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images) /

No. 4: Offensive Tackles Joe Staley and Trent Brown

Again, the 49ers’ nominees here would likely have to get in as alternates. And it would depend largely how the voting process goes, as well as how the masses view both starting tackles Joe Staley and Trent Brown.

SANTA CLARA, CA – NOVEMBER 12: Joe Staley #74 of the San Francisco 49ers runs on to the field prior to playing the New York Giants in their NFL game at Levi’s Stadium on November 12, 2017 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)
SANTA CLARA, CA – NOVEMBER 12: Joe Staley #74 of the San Francisco 49ers runs on to the field prior to playing the New York Giants in their NFL game at Levi’s Stadium on November 12, 2017 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images) /

Pro Football Focus might give us enough evidence. According to PFF, Staley is ranked the No. 21 overall offensive tackle with a season grade of 78.1. Brown is actually higher, coming it at No. 13 with a 79.6 mark.

These numbers aren’t exactly close to being on par with some of the top-performing linemen this season. But as far as alternates go, both could be in the mix for a Pro Bowl spot.

Case in point, Philadelphia Eagles tackle Jason Peters (No. 2, 86.4) is out for the year with a knee injury. And the Cleveland Browns’ Joe Thomas (No. 2, 86.4) is also out for the rest of the season with a torn triceps.

Just like that, two more spots open up.

Staley is probably the more likely of the two, as he already has five Pro Bowls to his name and the reputation that accompanies that feat. Yet it wouldn’t be a complete shocker to see Brown put into the mix.