49ers: 7 players in line for contract extensions in 2018

San Francisco 49ers: 7 players in line for contract extensions in 2018

SANTA CLARA, CA - NOVEMBER 05: Brock Coyle #50 of the San Francisco 49ers reacts after Eric Reid #35 intercepted a pass intended for Jermaine Gresham #84 of the Arizona Cardinals in the end zone during their NFL game at Levi's Stadium on November 5, 2017 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Lachlan Cunningham/Getty Images) /

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No. 5: Punter Bradley Pinion

Not to overuse an overdone footballing cliche, but punters are people too, folks.

A rare hit, if not a home run, by the Trent Baalke regime, Bradley Pinion has improved every year he’s been in the league. Boosting his season punt average to over 40 yards for the first time in his career (41.3 yards to be exact), Pinion has proven a steady hand (or foot) for the 49ers. NBC Sports broke down his season:

"Pinion is entering the final year of his contract and would appear to be a strong candidate for a contract extension. He has gotten better every season, and he is still young and getting stronger. (He turns 24 in June.) Pinion was tied for the ninth most-effective punter in the league with a net average of 41.3 yards. He dropped 31 punts inside the 20-yard line with just one touchback."

Coming into a contract year, Pinion should get a reasonable extension by the team.

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