San Francisco 49ers: 10 Young Linchpin Players to Watch over Rest of 2015 Season

Nov 22, 2015; Seattle, WA, USA; San Francisco 49ers quarterback Blaine Gabbert (2) scrambles out of the pocket against the Seattle Seahawks during the second quarter at CenturyLink Field. Seattle defeated San Francisco, 29-13. Mandatory Credit: Joe Nicholson-USA TODAY Sports

The San Francisco 49ers will look to develop their youth over the remaining stretch of the 2015 season. Niner Noise takes a look at 10 young players to watch who could emerge as linchpins next year and beyond.

At 4-8, the 2015 San Francisco 49ers aren’t going to be making any plans for playoff football this season, and the sizable focus of the team over the remaining four games will be on younger cast members striving to make an impact for 2016 and beyond.

Despite an anemic, last-place offense and inconsistent defense, the 49ers do have some noteworthy young talent which, in a year or so, could turn out to make up the core of the San Francisco franchise.

Good teams need core players. And, while this young group is being tested to the extreme following the mass exodus of former talent that left last offseason, a number of budding players are starting to emerge as promising contributors who can successfully anchor the franchise moving forward.

Forget coaching for a moment — yes, it’s hard — and all the notions of which staff gets the most out of its talent.

Instead, let’s take a look at 10 noteworthy young 49ers who could have a significant impact in 2016 and beyond.

And why they should beg our attention over the final quarter of the 2015 season.