San Francisco 49ers: 10 Biggest X-Factors for 2016 Season
By Peter Panacy
The San Francisco 49ers probably aren’t going to be very good in 2016, and there are number of reasons for this. But this season could hinge on the wide-spectrum play of a number of key players. Niner Noise takes a look at 10 of these X-factors and determines how each could impact the franchise this year.
Determining exactly how the San Francisco 49ers will fare in the 2016 season will be a tough thing to do.
On the surface, the Niners don’t appear to be a very good team this year. Already playing in the tough NFC West, San Francisco owns the toughest schedule this year — opponents’ winning percentages from last year is .555, which is highest in the league — and the roster isn’t exactly laden with Pro Bowl-caliber talent as had been the case in years prior.
Still, there are more than a few players currently on the 49ers roster who could wind up making a substantial difference for the team in 2016.
These X-factors may determine just how well, or how poorly, the Niners’ chances are this season.
In many cases, these players may “break out” under head coach Chip Kelly and help propel the 49ers well above the lowly expectations on the season. But on the other hand, these players’ struggles may continue to influence the Niners’ not-so-prominent standing in NFL ranks.
It’s a do-or-die league, so how can these linchpin players wind up impacting the team’s fortunes in either a positive or negative light?
You won’t see bona fide playmakers, who we know and expect to make impacts this season. So guys like NaVorro Bowman and Joe Staley won’t be on this list. Instead, let’s focus on players who have a wide spectrum and whose good/poor efforts will, ultimately, determine San Francisco’s 2016 fate.
In this slideshow, we take a look at 10 X-factors who will be of critical importance to the Niners success or failure in 2016.
Next: No. 10: WR DeAndre Smelter