Now that we are about halfway through the regular season, it is time to start considering which players are deserving of the Pro Bowl. For this series, we will look at the three most deserving candidates for each team. Obviously, some teams will have more or less than three players selected to the Pro Bowl, but for simplicity purposes, we will discuss the top three either way.
Midseason San Francisco 49ers Pro Bowl Candidates
Aaron Lynch
Aaron Lynch is a second-year player out of USF and has arguably been the best player on the 49ers defense this season. So far registering 23 total tackles, Lynch also leads the team with six sacks while currently tied for eighth in the league in that category. He is a dynamic pass-rushing linebacker who has been able to generate pressure without much help in 2015. While the 49ers don’t have the dominant defensive front they once had, Lynch has still been able to put pressure on the opposing quarterbacks and lead this defensive unit. San Francisco may be one of the NFL’s worst teams, but their defense is actually not that bad. They’ve been forced to counter a stagnant offense, and Lynch has helped them do so.
Tramaine Brock
San Francisco returned a very thin secondary in 2015, and Tramaine Brock has stepped up to the task by becoming their best cornerback. A starter since last year, there have already been major improvements from the sixth-year defensive back. He is tied for the team lead with three interceptions and has quietly played well. He isn’t an elite corner, but Brock has been steady in his time with San Francisco. He is on pace to break his career highs for interceptions and tackles in a season. Through eight games, Brock is fourth on the team with 29 tackles, and his career high is 35.
Phil Dawson
It is understandably sad when the best player on a team’s offense has been the kicker, but that is the case this year in San Francisco. While the 49ers have struggled to move the ball due to a weak offensive line and subpar quarterback play, Dawson has converted when called upon. The veteran kicker is 14/15 this year, including 10/10 beyond 30 yards. His only miss came short, and he is also 10/10 on extra points. Dawson has been reliable throughout his career and is a lone bright spot on the offensive side for San Francisco.
Main Photo: OAKLAND, CA – DECEMBER 7: Aaron Lynch #59, Justin Smith #94, Ray McDonald #91 and Tony Jerod-Eddie #63 of the San Francisco 49ers sit on the bench during the game against the Oakland Raiders at O.co Coliseum on December 7, 2014 in Oakland, California. The Raiders defeated the 49ers 24-13. (Photo by Michael Zagaris/San Francisco 49ers/Getty Images)
