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2018 NFL free agency: Predicting which players the 49ers re-sign or let walk

By Peter Panacy

LOS ANGELES, CA - DECEMBER 31: Carlos Hyde
LOS ANGELES, CA - DECEMBER 31: Carlos Hyde /
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SAN FRANCISCO, CA – OCTOBER 18: Guard Daniel Kilgore #67 of the San Francisco 49ers warms up before a game against the Seattle Seahawks on October 18, 2012 at Candlestick Park in San Francisco, California. The 49ers won 13-6. (Photo by Brian Bahr/Getty Images)
SAN FRANCISCO, CA – OCTOBER 18: Guard Daniel Kilgore #67 of the San Francisco 49ers warms up before a game against the Seattle Seahawks on October 18, 2012 at Candlestick Park in San Francisco, California. The 49ers won 13-6. (Photo by Brian Bahr/Getty Images) /

Center Daniel Kilgore

OK, onto some of the big-name free agents.

Center might appear to be a major position of need too. After all, veteran center Daniel Kilgore’s 51.0 overall Pro Football Focus grade ranked dead last out of all San Francisco’s offensive line starters in 2017.

This is a big misleading, though.

Overall, Kilgore’s pass-blocking efficiency rating of 97.1 ranked 20th out of 29 qualifying centers, per PFF. When quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo took over in Week 13, however, Kilgore’s PBE rating jumped to 99.2 — sixth best among the split.

Jennifer Lee Chan of Niners Nation made the argument the 49ers shouldn’t look for a replacement this offseason. Perhaps some competition, but not by getting rid of Kilgore:

"Kilgore is also very well respected in the OL room, enough so that he won the Bobb McKittrick award at the end of the season. The award is given to the offensive lineman who best represents courage, intensity and sacrifice and it was voted on by his fellow linemen. It’s likely, with what Kilgore has said, that he would be willing to sign a team friendly, short term deal, which really is a no lose situation for the 49ers. Unlike a rookie, they know what they have in him and will at least have time to develop a center of the future."

Prediction: The 49ers re-sign Daniel Kilgore on a two-year deal, while bringing in a rookie prospect to compete with or develop under him in 2018.