This series will be a rundown of the top 20 players for the 49ers' 2020 season. Each player will be analyzed from his 2019 performance, to the cost of the player and what his future with the 49ers looks like.
On August 31, 2017 the 49ers traded a 5th-round draft pick to the Detroit Lions for LG Laken Tomlinson. Ever since that day, Tomlinson has played a major role in Kyle Shanahan's re-build as he has held down the LG position for the past 3 seasons. Tomlinson is one of the unsung heroes of this 49ers team. Many people don't pay attention to the interior offensive line. While LT is the glamour position of the line, mostly because it is related to protecting the QB, the interior linemen play a major role in the Kyle Shanahan offense. The ability for interior linemen to be mobile and set non-traditional blocks is imperative in the 49ers run game. Tomlinson, while not stellar, has been consistent and reliable, and for the price of a 5th round pick, a consistent, reliable starting LG should be considered a steal.
2019 Performance
Linemen statistics aren't as easy to come by as those of the so-called "skill position players". One statistic that tells the story of Tomlinson is the number 4, that being he only had 4 penalties against him all season. Tomlinson had 2 false starts and 2 holding calls in all of 2019. Tomlinson also allowed 3 sacks on the season. PFF graded Tomlinson at 64.7 on the season, which placed him as the 3rd highest rated 49ers offensive lineman, trailing behind tackles Joe Staley & Mike McGlinchey.
2020 Cost
Tomlinson is under contract through the 2021 season. In 2020 he has a cap hit of $5.25 million. If the 49ers were to find a better option prior to 6/1/20, they would save $2.75 million by either trading or releasing him. After 6/1/20, the 49ers cap hit would be the full $5.25 million if they move him after this date.
Future Outlook
The most likely scenario would see Tomlinson playing out his current contract with the possibility of extending him in 2021. In June 2018 the 49ers extended Tomlinson, showing their pleasure with his performance and fit with the team. He is still relatively young (28) and has been injury free, starting 50 of 51 games as a 49er. The only issue that could possibly jeopardize Tomlinson's spot on this team is the cost. $5.25 million is a high price tag for a midldle of the road guard on a team with a tight budget. The question would become, who would replace Tomlinson? The only option currently on the roster is T Daniel Brunskill. Though he is listed as a tackle, Brunskill filled in for G Mike Person in 2019 and looked to have a bright future ahead of him. Brunskill is an exclusive rights free agent, which virtually guarantees he will be back with the team in 2020. With that being said, it's hard to imagine the 49ers moving Brunskill to guard as he seems to be the heir to the LT position when Joe Staley decides to retire. Expect Tomlinson at LG for at least the next 2 years, if not further into the future.
Three 49ers rank in NFL's top 25 performance-based payouts
By David Bonilla
Mar 17
Three San Francisco 49ers players are receiving a nice little bonus for their on-field efforts during the 2022 NFL season. Safeties Tashaun Gipson and Talanoa Hufanga, and center Jake Brendel are among the NFL's top 25 performance-based pay distributions for this past season. The NFL Communications staff released the list on Friday morning.
Gipson will receive a $708,106 bonus. The safety recently re-signed with the 49ers on a one-year deal. Hufanga will receive $703,926, and Brendel earns $643,691.
NFL players will receive $336 million in performance-based pay. The performance-based pay program is a collectively bargained benefit that compensates all players based on their playing time and salary levels. The program was first implemented as part of the 2002
Podcast: 49ers with Grant Cohn: Are the 49ers the favorites in the NFC with Trey Lance?
By Rohan Chakravarthi
Mar 24
Rohan Chakravarthi and Grant Cohn discuss whether the 49ers are favorites in the NFC after free agency.
The audio for the show is embedded above, while the video is available below.
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You can listen to "The Rohan Chakravarthi Show" from our
Sam Darnold on role with 49ers: "As long as we're winning games, that's the only thing that matters"
By David Bonilla
Mar 16
Sam Darnold is the newest San Francisco 49ers quarterback. He joins a quarterback room that includes third-year passer Trey Lance and second-year player Brock Purdy. The Niners are Darnold's third NFL team since the New York Jets made him the No. 3 overall pick in 2018. He spent the last two seasons with the Carolina Panthers, appearing in 18 games while starting 17.
Darnold felt that signing with the 49ers was an easy decision. He's excited about the opportunity to work with head coach and play-caller Kyle Shanahan and the other 49ers coaches.
The quarterback steps into a great situation, too. San Francisco undoubtedly has the most talented roster he has ever been a part of.
"Just excited to get started in this organization and get to work," Darnold
Why the 49ers checked the boxes for DE Clelin Ferrell
By David Bonilla
Mar 16
The San Francisco 49ers have to be an ideal landing spot for any player. The team has been to the NFC Championship three times and made a Super Bowl appearance in the last four seasons. For one free-agent defensive lineman, the Niners checked a lot of boxes.
"I think for me, I really just fell in love with the way that they play defense here," Clelin Ferrell said on Thursday, speaking with 49ers reporters for the first time.
Defensive line coach Kris Kocurek was a big draw too. Knowing the coach's background and success in bringing out the best in his players contributed to the decision to sign with the 49ers.
Ferrell added, "So it was just kind of checking that box, for sure."
The 49ers weren't the only team expressing strong interest
