Niner Noise
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San Francisco 49ers: Ranking the top 25 players for 2018

By Chris Wilson

SANTA CLARA, CA - NOVEMBER 20: DeForest Buckner #99 of the San Francisco 49ers reacts after he sacked Tom Brady #12 of the New England Patriots at Levi's Stadium on November 20, 2016 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)
SANTA CLARA, CA - NOVEMBER 20: DeForest Buckner #99 of the San Francisco 49ers reacts after he sacked Tom Brady #12 of the New England Patriots at Levi's Stadium on November 20, 2016 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images) /
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San Francisco 49ers Weston Richburg
EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ – SEPTEMBER 18: Weston Richburg #70 of the New York Giants takes the field before playing against the New Orleans Saints at MetLife Stadium on September 18, 2016 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Photo by Al Bello/Getty Images) /

9. C Weston Richburg

While the exterior of the 49ers’ offensive line was strong last season, the interior of the offensive line required an upgrade, which came in the form of free-agent center Weston Richburg.

As opposed to directly addressing the team’s lackluster play at guard — a position Shanahan doesn’t generally prioritize — the 49ers indirectly addressed the position by upgrading the player who plays between the two guard spots.

An improvement at center — a position Shanahan does prioritize — will help the player who wins the team’s competition at right guard, as well as newly extended left guard Laken Tomlinson. Richburg also fits the mold of a center in Shanahan’s offensive system, and will be called on to be the leader of the 49ers’ line for the forseeable future.

However, the addition came at an expensive price, so the former New York Giant will need to show he is an obvious upgrade over inconsistent center Daniel Kilgore, who was signed to an extension and then traded away after the 49ers landed Richburg.