49ers: 5 offensive linemen San Francisco should target in 2018

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PHILADELPHIA, PA – DECEMBER 22: Justin Pugh #67 of the New York Giants s enters the field before the game against the Philadelphia Eagles their game at Lincoln Financial Field on December 22, 2016 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Al Bello/Getty Images) /

Justin Pugh, Guard, New York Giants

No doubt prepared to ask a small ransom in the NFL free agency market, Justin Pugh may want a contract mirrored to the likes of Kevin Zeitler and Kelechi Osemele, but to his dismay, may not receive the compensation he desires.

Significant injuries have kept the 27 year old from contributing on the field. In 2017, Pugh suffered a back injury keeping him sidelined for eight games. Per Jordan Raanan of ESPN on Pugh, “This is the fourth straight season he has failed to play 16 games, having missed 17 games over that span.”

If Pugh stayed healthy and playing to his potential, he would definitely garner fair market value general managers across the league would consider paying.

Pro Football Focus describes Pugh as, “having a good career to date, grading above 80.0 in his two seasons at guard after a solid first two seasons at right tackle, grading above 75.0 both years.”

As it stands, while healthy and capable of contributing to a football team, Pugh could certainly demand a contract of $10 million a year or more.

However, due to his issues of staying physically healthy, GMs may tag the young Giant as injury prone and not offer the asking price desired. Pugh should command $9 million a year and get it from a team in desperate need of offensive line help.

If the 49ers pass on Norwell, then for the value and if the price is right, they may not pass up a bargain in Pugh.