Niner Noise
FanSided

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

By Jeremy Wohlfart

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)
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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MIAMI GARDENS, FL – NOVEMBER 27: Trent Brown #77 of the San Francisco 49ers blocks Cameron Wake #91 of the Miami Dolphins during the 1st quarter of the game at Hard Rock Stadium on November 27, 2016 in Miami Gardens, Florida. (Photo by Eric Espada/Getty Images)
MIAMI GARDENS, FL – NOVEMBER 27: Trent Brown #77 of the San Francisco 49ers blocks Cameron Wake #91 of the Miami Dolphins during the 1st quarter of the game at Hard Rock Stadium on November 27, 2016 in Miami Gardens, Florida. (Photo by Eric Espada/Getty Images) /

No. 4: Right Tackle Trent Brown

A great tackle when he’s healthy, Trent Brown is somewhat of an oddity, as it’s hard to know what sort of contract he could be line for.

While on the field, he can be dominant, attracting praise from some very high sources. He can also be often injured and, at times, lazy. There has been question marks over his injury according to this Q&A with Matt Barrows of the Sacramento Bee:

"Mike Skidmore‏ @Skidpants You get a sense that Trent Brown is trying to protect himself prior to the big payday? Is this ruffling the feathers of management? ANSW: To paraphrase Jim Harbaugh: I can’t put myself in Trent Brown’s body and know how he’s feeling. If he’s legitimately hurt, he’s legitimately hurt and beyond reproach. … As far as 49ers management, I think they’ll use Brown’s injury as an opportunity. Brown has had weight/conditioning/motivation issues in the past. The team naturally might be nervous about giving him a big payday. Seeing how he deals with and overcomes a significant injury, one that will keep him out of the gym for a while, should be telling."

So Brown’s injury, while unfortunate, could be a useful tool in negotiations for the 49ers. He’s too talented to allow to leave, but he’s also someone who can fall off the wagon after being paid, something we’ve seen a lot of in the league.