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San Francisco 49ers: Grading John Lynch’s first year as general manager

By Peter Panacy

LOS ANGELES, CA - DECEMBER 31: General Manager John Lynch of the San Francisco 49ers looks on from the sidelines during the second half of a game against the Los Angeles Rams at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum on December 31, 2017 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CA - DECEMBER 31: General Manager John Lynch of the San Francisco 49ers looks on from the sidelines during the second half of a game against the Los Angeles Rams at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum on December 31, 2017 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images) /
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SANTA CLARA, CA – DECEMBER 24: General Manager John Lynch signs autographs for fans prior to their NFL game against the Jacksonville Jaguars at Levi’s Stadium on December 24, 2017 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Robert Reiners/Getty Images)
SANTA CLARA, CA – DECEMBER 24: General Manager John Lynch signs autographs for fans prior to their NFL game against the Jacksonville Jaguars at Levi’s Stadium on December 24, 2017 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Robert Reiners/Getty Images) /

A. . John Lynch. San Francisco 49ers. 2017 CUMULATIVE GRADE

If you were doubting John Lynch’s abilities to handle front-office duties for the first time, you were happily proven wrong.

Lynch has proven to be everything former Niners GM Trent Baalke wasn’t. Lynch is in front of the franchise, not afraid to make bold moves and has made plenty of roster moves that helped bring about what looks to be a quick turnaround in Santa Clara.

A number of these weren’t easy. Parting ways with linebacker NaVorro Bowman, a fan favorite, in the middle of the year was going to hurt.

It did. But it also opened up the door for younger players, like Reuben Foster, to assume a more prolific role.

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If there’s an area to critique, it was in offseason free agency. We’re being picky, but some of the more-lucrative contracts — take fullback Kyle Juszczyk’s, for example — are still viewed as a major overpayment. Keep in mind, though, the 49ers were coming off a 2-14 season the year before, so overpaying players was probably going to be a reality.

Especially considering the instability of the organization in previous years.

Regardless, Lynch helped usher in a massive transformation in 2017 that prompted the Niners towards a quicker turnaround than most experts could have dreamed. Heading into 2018, Lynch will have the most cap space in the NFL and still boasts a top-10 pick in the NFL Draft.

Next: 5 49ers in line for a breakout year in 2018

If his actions in 2017 are any indication, 49ers fans should be plenty satisfied this year will be another home-run effort by their general manager.