Niner Noise
FanSided

Power ranking 49ers top 10 players halfway through 2019 season

By Peter Panacy

Jimmy Garoppolo #10 of the San Francisco 49ers with George Kittle #85 (Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images)
Jimmy Garoppolo #10 of the San Francisco 49ers with George Kittle #85 (Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
3 of 11
Next
LANDOVER, MARYLAND – OCTOBER 20: Kwon Alexander #56 of the San Francisco 49ers celebrates a tackle against the Washington Redskins at FedExField on October 20, 2019 in Landover, Maryland. (Photo by Rob Carr/Getty Images)
LANDOVER, MARYLAND – OCTOBER 20: Kwon Alexander #56 of the San Francisco 49ers celebrates a tackle against the Washington Redskins at FedExField on October 20, 2019 in Landover, Maryland. (Photo by Rob Carr/Getty Images) /

42. . . . Kwon Alexander. 9. player

If it weren’t for his oh-so unfortunate season-ending pectoral injury, suffered during the 49ers’ 28-25 Week 9 win over the Arizona Cardinals, linebacker Kwon Alexander would be much, much higher on this list.

The Niners will be hard-pressed to replace Alexander’s production and presence on the field, which has instilled some swag and confidence over the first half of 2019.

The good news is Alexander will still be around, of course. And San Francisco wouldn’t be 8-0 without Alexander’s efforts thus far. Simply put, he’s been a major reason behind the defense’s turnaround this season.

Before the injury, Alexander racked up 34 tackles, which ranked second best on the defense, to go with four pass breakups and an interception. His instincts, reaction skills and playmaking abilities were chief to the 49ers boasting the league’s second-best scoring and yardage defense heading into Week 9.

Again, if it weren’t for the injury, Alexander would be placed much higher. Still, making the top 10 remains impressive.