San Francisco 49ers Week 17 Stock Report

Stock down: San Francisco 49ers inside linebacker NaVorro Bowman, even though he leads the league in tackles and was recently named a Pro Bowler.

Look closer at Bowman’s numbers. He has earned a grade of minus-2.8 this season from Pro Football Focus—eighth-worst on the 49ers defense. Eighteen Niners defenders have earned higher grades than Bowman.

Among NFL inside linebackers who have played at least 25 percent of their teams' snaps, Bowman ranks 21st behind players such as Rolando McClain of the Dallas Cowboys and Josh Mauga of the Kansas City Chiefs.

Bowman’s problem? Pass coverage. He has given up a whopping 60 catches—more than all but four cornerbacks have allowed this season. He also ranks among the league-leaders in missed tackles with 17.

Bowman should play only in the Niners base defense from now on. He’s a platoon player.

This is the Week 17 stock report.

Stock Up: Quinton Dial

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The 49ers defender who has gotten the most attention the past few weeks is nose tackle Ian Williams, and for good reason. He has been one of the best nose tackles in the NFL since Week 12.

But another 49ers defensive lineman also deserves some attention: Quinton Dial. He has been nearly as good as Williams recently, earning a grade of plus-9.8 from Pro Football Focus since Week 14—second-best among 3-4 defensive ends during that period of time.

This season is Dial’s first as a full-time starting defensive end, and he seems to be coming into his own. If he keeps improving, he’ll earn a big payday when he hits free agency in 2016.

Stock Up: Trent Brown

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In the past two games, rookie right tackle Trent Brown has played 96 snaps and given up zero hits or sacks. He seems like a natural in pass protection.

He’s huge (6’8”), long (36-inch arms) and nimble enough to mirror some of the best edge-rushers, such as Carlos Dunlap of the Cincinnati Bengals and Ezekiel Ansah of the Detroit Lions.

Brown has been playing so well, he may be the favorite to start at right tackle in 2016 even if former 49ers right tackle Anthony Davis returns from retirement. Davis never was particularly good in pass protection. Brown may force Davis to move to guard.

Stock Up: Andrew Tiller

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A big reason the 49ers rushed for 122 yards in the first half against the Detriot Lions in Week 16 was Andrew Tiller.

Tiller and Joe Staley—the left side of the 49ers offensive line—created most of the holes running back DuJuan Harris ran through. Anyone could have ran through the holes Tiller and Staley were making in the first half. Just look the picture above.

Tiller has definitely earned an opportunity to start at guard for the 49ers next season. If Anthony Davis returns to the team after the season, the Niners' 2016 offensive line could look like this:

Left tackle: Joe Staley

Left guard: Andrew Tiller

Center: Daniel Kilgore

Right guard: Anthony Davis

Right tackle: Trent Brown

Stock Up: Trent Baalke

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Trent Baalke signed Andrew Tiller to the 49ers practice squad last season, drafted Trent Brown in the seventh round this year and drafted Quinton Dial in the fifth round of the 2013 draft. Those were fabulous acquisitions.

Other fabulous acquisitions: running backs Shaun Draughn and DuJuan Harris. Baalke signed both of them off the street this season, and both have played surprisingly well. Both may stick around and back up starting running back Carlos Hyde next season.

The 49ers general manager deserves credit for finding these players. Baalke’s resume is starting to look better and better these days, unlike the resume of the 49ers head coach.

Stock Down: Jim Tomsula

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Jim Tomsula simply doesn’t use some of the the good players Trent Baalke gives him.

This offseason, Baalke signed wide receiver Torrey Smith to a five-year, $40-million contract. Smith is a big-time receiver who has never caught fewer than 49 passes in a season, but this season, he has caught just 28. Tomsula didn’t know what to do with Smith from the minute he got him.

Tomsula also didn’t know what to do with Andrew Tiller or Trent Brown. Those two rode the bench almost all season. Tiller didn’t become a starter until Week 11, and Brown didn’t become one until Week 16. Both have played well since joining the starting lineup.

Tomsula watches these guys practice every day. How can he not tell which ones are good?

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Stats courtesy of Pro Football Focus unless otherwise noted.