SANTA CLARA – The 49ers’ talent pool and popularity sure has changed since coach Kyle Shanahan and general manager John Lynch inherited a roster that had no Pro Bowlers seven seasons ago.
At 5 p.m. today, a slew of 49ers players will draw that all-star designation, perhaps their most since 2012, when 10 bypassed their Pro Bowl nod to play in the Super Bowl.
An astonishing 15 49ers finished first in Pro Bowl votes at their respective NFC positions in fans’ online ballots, which counts for just a third of the selection process, as players and coaches also have their say.
Brock Purdy, who stands to become the 49ers’ first Pro Bowl quarterback since Jeff Garcia in 2002, led all players in fan balloting with 451,864 votes, according to the NFL. Teammate Christian McCaffrey placed second (429,993) ahead of Miami Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa (414,502), 49ers tight end George Kittle (373,750) and Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce (327,263).
Of course, as the NFC’s No. 1 seed, the 49ers (12-4) prefer to be heading to the Super Bowl (Feb. 11, Las Vegas) than settling for a consolation trip to the Pro Bowl Games skills competition (Feb. 4, Orlando).
No team drew more fan votes than the 49ers, who had 15 players finish first in NFC ballotting, and 1-2 finishes at five positions.
Again, this is only the fan voting results for now, but here are where the 49ers finished in those until the final results are revealed at 5 p.m. PT (this post will be updated then):
Quarterback: Purdy, 1st overall
Running back: McCaffrey, 1st overall
Tight end: Kittle, 1st overall
Wide receiver: Brandon Aiyuk, 2nd overall, 1st NFC; Deebo Samuel, 3rd overall, 2nd NFC
Fullback: Kyle Juszczyk, 1st overall
Offensive tackle: Trent Williams, 1st overall; Colton McKivitz, 4th overall, 2nd NFC
Guard: Aaron Banks, 1st overall; Spencer Burford, 7th overall, 4th NFC
Center: Jake Brendel, 1st overall
Defensive end: Nick Bosa, 1st overall; Chase Young, 2nd overall
Defensive tackle: Arik Armstead, 1st overall; Javon Hargrave, 2nd overall
Inside linebacker: Fred Warner, 1st overall; Dre Greenlaw, 2nd overall
Outside linebacker: Oren Burks, 10th overall, 5th NFC
Cornerback: Charvarius Ward, 1st overall; Deommodore Lenoir, 5th overall, 3rd NFC
Free safety: Tashaun Gipson Sr., 6th overall, 2nd NFC
Long snapper: Taybor Pepper, 1st overall
Punter: Mitch Wishnowsky, 1st overall
Kicker: Jake Moody, 8th overall, 4th NFC
Return specialist: Ray-Ray McCloud, 2nd overall, 1st NFC
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The 49ers have lost in the NFC Championship Game the past two seasons, when they had seven players selected to the Pro Bowl each year. Last year’s Pro Bowl crop: Bosa, Juszczyk, Kittle, McCaffrey,Warner, Williams, and Talanoa Hufanga.
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