Niner Noise
FanSided

San Francisco 49ers: 5 Players Who Exceeded Expectations in 2015

By Peter Panacy

November 8, 2015; Santa Clara, CA, USA; San Francisco 49ers outside linebacker Aaron Lynch (59) and defensive end Arik Armstead (91) celebrate during the first quarter against the Atlanta Falcons at Levi's Stadium. The 49ers defeated the Falcons 17-16. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports
November 8, 2015; Santa Clara, CA, USA; San Francisco 49ers outside linebacker Aaron Lynch (59) and defensive end Arik Armstead (91) celebrate during the first quarter against the Atlanta Falcons at Levi's Stadium. The 49ers defeated the Falcons 17-16. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
6 of 6
Next
Dec 20, 2015; Santa Clara, CA, USA; San Francisco 49ers inside linebacker NaVorro Bowman (53) celebrates after the 49ers recovered an onside kick during the fourth quarter at Levi’s Stadium. The Cincinnati Bengals defeated the San Francisco 49ers 24-14. Mandatory Credit: Ed Szczepanski-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 20, 2015; Santa Clara, CA, USA; San Francisco 49ers inside linebacker NaVorro Bowman (53) celebrates after the 49ers recovered an onside kick during the fourth quarter at Levi’s Stadium. The Cincinnati Bengals defeated the San Francisco 49ers 24-14. Mandatory Credit: Ed Szczepanski-USA TODAY Sports /

Linebacker NaVorro Bowman

2015 Statistics

OK, so linebacker NaVorro Bowman may not have exceeded expectations in the mind of some given that another Pro Bowl nomination has come to be the norm out of San Francisco’s best defender.

But when one considers the road back from his gruesome knee injury suffered in the 2014 NFC Championship game, Bowman’s return to form this year is truly remarkable.

Bowman led the team with 116 tackles on the season. Heck, he led the entire NFL with that number — beating out Miami Dolphins safety Reshad Jones by 10 tackles.

True, coverage was a bit of a problem for Bowman for much of the season. But one has to consider the amount of lateral movement involved in coverage and the strain required on his still-recovering knee.

More from Niner Noise

And if Bowman earns the NFL’s Comeback Player of the Year award for his season’s work, he certainly will have exceeded any and all expectations in the wake of such a devastating injury.

Bowman will continue to be the linch pin of San Francisco’s defense for years to come, and his leadership will be critical for the budding young defense to follow.

Next: A Primer for the 49ers 2016 Offseason

All statistics, records and accolades courtesy of Pro-Football-Reference.com and ESPN.com unless otherwise indicated. Contractual information courtesy of Over the Cap.