49ers: Creating San Francisco's ideal starting lineup for 2018

San Francisco 49ers: Creating the ideal starting lineup for 2018

SANTA CLARA, CA - SEPTEMBER 16: Jimmy Garoppolo #10 of the San Francisco 49ers congratulates Garrett Celek #88 after Celek caught a touchdown pass against the Detroit Lions at Levi's Stadium on September 16, 2018 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images) /

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SANTA CLARA, CA – SEPTEMBER 16: Robbie Gould #9 of the San Francisco 49ers kicks a forty five yard field goal against the Detroit Lions during the first quarter of their NFL football game at Levi’s Stadium on September 16, 2018 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images) /

Special Teams

Kicker: Robbie Gould

Punter: Bradley Pinion

Long-Snapper: Kyle Nelson

Not too many changes here, but special teams shouldn’t garner too much attention anyway.

Kicker Robbie Gould has had a few more misses this season and hasn’t looked quite as sharp. But there’s still little reason to move on from him after his contract expires after 2018. He should be an easy re-sign target on a two-year deal.

Likewise, punter Bradley Pinion is in a contract year.

Fortunately, Pinion’s early woes with consistency have long since evaporated. He has quietly emerged as one of the better legs in the game, and the Niners’ punt coverage has thrived the last two years as a result. No reason for a change. He should be re-signed too.

No one knows long-snapper Kyle Nelson’s name. And that’s what you want out of the position — a no-name commodity that does his job right each and every time.