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San Francisco 49ers: Projecting 2017 Starting Lineup after First Wave of NFL Free Agency

By Peter Panacy

Aug 20, 2016; Denver, CO, USA; A general view of the San Francisco 49ers helmet before game against the Denver Broncos at Sports Authority Field at Mile High. The 49ers beat the Broncos 31-24. Mandatory Credit: Troy Babbitt-USA TODAY Sports
Aug 20, 2016; Denver, CO, USA; A general view of the San Francisco 49ers helmet before game against the Denver Broncos at Sports Authority Field at Mile High. The 49ers beat the Broncos 31-24. Mandatory Credit: Troy Babbitt-USA TODAY Sports /
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Dec 26, 2015; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Washington Redskins wide receiver Pierre Garcon (88) celebrates his touchdown catch against the Philadelphia Eagles at Lincoln Financial Field. The Redskins defeated the Eagles, 38-24. Mandatory Credit: Eric Hartline-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 26, 2015; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Washington Redskins wide receiver Pierre Garcon (88) celebrates his touchdown catch against the Philadelphia Eagles at Lincoln Financial Field. The Redskins defeated the Eagles, 38-24. Mandatory Credit: Eric Hartline-USA TODAY Sports /

The San Francisco 49ers were heavily active in the first wave of NFL free agency. Niner Noise takes these recent signings into account and breaks down what the starting lineup might look like with these new 2017 additions.

The San Francisco 49ers didn’t waste any time adding a slew of players to their roster when 2017 free agency started on March 9.

General manager John Lynch told Niners fans to “stay awake” during the free-agent period, and he wasn’t kidding. San Francisco was one of the more active teams before the day even finished, landing seven free agents — in addition to the three signed prior to March 9 — before the day was through.

This shakes up the roster, of course. So what will it look like this upcoming season?

San Francisco 49ers
San Francisco 49ers /

San Francisco 49ers

There are a lot of factors and pending changes between now and Week 1 of the regular season. More free agents could be arriving at any point. The NFL Draft is just over a month away, and the 49ers figure to add more talent, especially on the defensive side of the ball.

But we know a good chunk of these new players will receive starting reps. As such, let’s work them into the starting lineup prediction — the first of its kind from Niner Noise since free agency started.

If necessary, we’ll put either rookie draft picks and/or yet-to-be-determined free agents into positions where obvious voids exist. But there won’t be too many.

Additionally, starting-lineup projections will be in base formations, although we’ll give attention to nickel formations too.

To start, let’s look at San Francisco’s situation on special teams.