49ers roster: 5 players who aren’t getting enough praise in 2021
By Peter Panacy
No. 3: 49ers Left Guard Laken Tomlinson
Make no mistake, left tackle Trent Williams is the 49ers’ top offensive lineman. Period. It’s not even up for debate.
The remaining attention, either good or bad, tends to focus on center Alex Mack or right tackle Mike McGlinchey. It’s rare to have discussions about left guard Laken Tomlinson, though, whose reliability and durability extend back to when the Niners acquired him via trade early in the 2017 season.
Since that point, Tomlinson has yet to miss a start.
It would be one thing to just be durable. But in Tomlinson’s case, he’s been effective. Not necessarily flashy, but certainly effective.
According to Pro Football Focus, which has awarded him a 79.5 overall grade this season (third best among all of San Francisco’s offensive players), Tomlinson has yet to surrender a sack this season, has given up only six quarterback pressures and a lone quarterback hit.
In contrast, McGlinchey has surrendered 13 pressures, two sacks and three hits.
The 49ers may have a tough decision with regards to Tomlinson this offseason, as he’ll hit free agency and likely command top dollar for an interior starter.
For now, though, he’s playing at a high level.