Golden Nuggets: One Pro Bowler from the 49ers

Wednesday, December 20th, 2017 edition of the Golden Nuggets, a daily compilation of San Francisco 49ers links from the Internet

By Billy Kerr@bkerr725 Dec 20, 2017, 2:00am PST

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NFL: Tennessee Titans at San Francisco 49ers

Jimmy Garoppolo has raised the 49ers’ level of play since being made starter. They have rattled off 3 straight victories and are now sitting with a 4-10 record with 2 games left. Those 3 victories have likely knocked the 49ers out of the running for a top 2 pick in the upcoming draft. They currently sit with the #4 pick.

Every impressive performance Jimmy Garoppolo delivers raises the question of what the 49ers will do in the offseason with his upcoming free agency. The option to franchise tag him is very possible. But Jimmy looks like a franchise quarterback and with the 49ers having a lot of cap space, a long-term deal looks like the more likely scenario.

One of the biggest reasons they should pay him this offseason other than his performance is that he is driving fans back to their seats at Levi’s Stadium. Levi’s has lacked any excitement for the last few years and the stadium has been noticeably empty in that stretch. But on Sunday, the fans showed up and they were loud and excited. Seeing their franchise quarterback in his 1st home start and deliver in the game left the fans feeling excited for the future.

Pro Bowl selections were announced on Tuesday. Only one player made the team after no 49ers made it in 2016. Fullback Kyle Juszczyk was selected to his 2nd straight Pro Bowl. Joe Staley, Trent Brown, Carlos Hyde, and Robbie Gould made the alternates.

49ers Links

Setting the Browns up | Jimmy helping Browns with another top 5 pick (Gantt)

He has been almost automatic this season | Record setting season for Gould (Wagoner)

Ranking Levi’s victories (Inman)

Best atmosphere I’ve seen in years | Changing the atmosphere in Levi’s Stadium (Wagoner)

The TEs are enjoying catching Jimmy’s throws | Jimmy G and the tight ends (Williams)

Trent Brown’s injury (Barrows)

He’s been stellar in 3 straight games | Marquise making the team of the week (Monson)

Jimmy up for 2 honors this week (Martin)

On our way back to the top | Moving up the rankings (Biderman)

Heading down the draft board (Biderman)

Biggest key behind Jimmy | Robbie a key in 3 victories (Cohn)