San Francisco 49ers: Offensive line must be top priority at 2018 NFL Draft

The New Contract, Part I: Jimmy GQ

The San Francisco 49ers are going to pay Jimmy Garoppolo just about anything that he wants to be paid. Some may question if that’s a wise decision, but Garoppolo’s influence in San Francisco ranges beyond statistics and late-season victories.

It’s rare that a team finds a player who can legitimately change the culture, and that’s exactly what Garoppolo did in 2017.

For as encouraging as that was, the true test is about to arrive for the 49ers. Garoppolo will become a free agent in March, and San Francisco is going to be tasked with making a decision about just how valuable he is to the organization.

According to Nick Wagoner of ESPN, 49ers general manager John Lynch has made it perfectly clear that the organization wants to sign Garoppolo to a long-term contract.

"“We’re going to work hard to try to keep him as a 49er for a long, long time,” Lynch said. “We’re really happy with the way he played. We think he’s got some abilities that are unique, and we want him here.”"

That doesn’t sound like an organization that’s preparing to slap their quarterback with the franchise tag.

If San Francisco signs Garoppolo to a long-term deal, then it will need to protect its investment. Kyle Shanahan has proven to be a quarterback whisperer, but the Niners desperately need to ensure that Garoppolo is more Tom Brady than Andrew Luck—spending more time on his feet than his back.

In order to ensure that Garoppolo stays upright and healthy, the 49ers must improve the offensive line—and the 2018 NFL Draft would be the most cost-efficient way to do so.