Niner Noise
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San Francisco 49ers: Ranking the 10 most important players in 2018

By Aaron Tan

SANTA CLARA, CA - NOVEMBER 05: Jimmy Garoppolo #10 of the San Francisco 49ers warms up prior to their game against the Arizona Cardinals at Levi's Stadium on November 5, 2017 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Lachlan Cunningham/Getty Images)
SANTA CLARA, CA - NOVEMBER 05: Jimmy Garoppolo #10 of the San Francisco 49ers warms up prior to their game against the Arizona Cardinals at Levi's Stadium on November 5, 2017 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Lachlan Cunningham/Getty Images) /
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CHICAGO, IL – DECEMBER 03: Joe Staley #74 of the San Francisco 49ers reacts after the 49ers defeated the Chicago Bears 15-14 at Soldier Field on December 3, 2017 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images)
CHICAGO, IL – DECEMBER 03: Joe Staley #74 of the San Francisco 49ers reacts after the 49ers defeated the Chicago Bears 15-14 at Soldier Field on December 3, 2017 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images) /

No. 7: Offensive Tackle Joe Staley

Joe Staley is 33 years old and has showed some signs of slowing down, but nevertheless, he is still one of the best offensive tackles in football, grading out as Pro Football Focus’ No. 2 offensive tackle in the league.

Being the left tackle on the offensive line, Staley is the one protecting Jimmy Garoppolo’s blind side, meaning that he’s pretty much the most important offensive lineman to ensure that Garoppolo doesn’t get hit.

Staley has been a great protector for the rotating wheel of quarterbacks he’s blocked for for the duration of his career, but he is noticeably slowing down. Some of the faster edge rushers in the league have gotten around him to get to the quarterback. Obviously, I can’t discredit Staley’s merits this past season (I mean, again, he was PFF’s No. 2 ranked offensive tackle!), but Father Time might get to him soon.

However, Staley knows that these final years for him will be his best chance to get a Super Bowl ring. He has that gritty winning mentality to him, and I predict that he will play his best football next year to protect our franchise quarterback at all costs.