Niner Noise
FanSided

San Francisco 49ers: Ranking the top 10 players halfway through 2018

By Peter Panacy

SANTA CLARA, CA - OCTOBER 21: George Kittle #85 of the San Francisco 49ers runs with the ball after a catch against the Los Angeles Rams during their NFL game at Levi's Stadium on October 21, 2018 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images)
SANTA CLARA, CA - OCTOBER 21: George Kittle #85 of the San Francisco 49ers runs with the ball after a catch against the Los Angeles Rams during their NFL game at Levi's Stadium on October 21, 2018 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images) /
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SAN DIEGO, CA – SEPTEMBER 01: Bradley Pinion #5 of the San Francisco 49ers celebrates a touchdown to take a 24-21 lead over the San Diego Chargers with a two point conversion during a preseason game at Qualcomm Stadium on September 1, 2016 in San Diego, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
SAN DIEGO, CA – SEPTEMBER 01: Bradley Pinion #5 of the San Francisco 49ers celebrates a touchdown to take a 24-21 lead over the San Diego Chargers with a two point conversion during a preseason game at Qualcomm Stadium on September 1, 2016 in San Diego, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images) /

Bradley Pinion. 10. team. 42. . Punter.

Remember back when 49ers fans were livid with Bradley Pinion? Especially after he was the first specialist taken in the 2015 NFL Draft at a time where San Francisco needed impact players and not special teams contributors?

Pinion has quietly emerged as one of the more reliable punters and kickoff specialists in the NFL right now. His 43.5 yards-per-punt average is just half a yard shy of the career mark he set two seasons ago. And while that number ranks 27th among all qualifiers on the season, one has to look at a number of other factors.

First, San Francisco’s offense is moving the ball better than it was a year ago at this time. That limits the booming punts.

But what makes Pinion the final member of San Francisco’s top 10 halfway through the year is the special accolade he received after his efforts in Week 9 — being named the NFC’s Special Teams Player of the Week.

NBC Sports Bay Area’s Matt Maiocco broke it down:

"Pinion was selected as the NFC Special Teams Player of the Week after averaging 54.7 yards (48.0 net) on three punts, including a long of 64 yards, in the 49ers’ 34-3 win over the Raiders. It was the first player of the week honor for Pinion, a fourth-year pro from Clemson. The 49ers selected Pinion in the fifth round of the 2015 draft. He is scheduled for unrestricted free agency in the offseason."

Had Pinion not received the award, he’d be left off. But the Niners dominated field position in their 34-3 win over Oakland, and Pinion was a major reason why.