SF 49ers: 3 players who proved long-term value vs. Packers

The SF 49ers lost ugly to the Packers in Week 9, yet these three players showed they’re worth something to the Niners in the long run.

The 2020 season is no longer about the SF 49ers trying to win the Super Bowl or get into the playoffs.

Certainly not after the Niners lost ugly on the road to their NFC West division rivals, the Seattle Seahawks, in Week 8. And definitely not after head coach Kyle Shanahan and Co. coughed up yet another loss, albeit with devastating injuries on a short week, to the Green Bay Packers in Week 9 on Thursday Night Football.

San Francisco fell way short during the game, getting off to a 21-3 first-half deficit before making up the gap with some garbage-time scores before ultimately losing 34-17 to quarterback Aaron Rodgers and Co. at Levi’s Stadium.

If there was a plus to Shanahan being without so many of his top weapons, both on offense and defense, it at least allows him to take a closer look at depth players who should play bigger roles over the duration of 2020.

As well as being considered for expanded roles in 2021, potentially beyond.

Linebacker Fred Warner, who easily led the team with 13 tackles and was seemingly everywhere on the field, easily gets the honorary nod for being a long-term fixture of the franchise. But that’s not news. He’s elite.

Instead, as this season is proving, the SF 49ers need to seek out quality depth pieces who can guard against further injuries next season. A number of players, who weren’t otherwise expected to do much this season, impressed during the game and should be considered as long-term value pieces moving forward.

Especially these three.