Niner Noise
FanSided

5 Players the San Francisco 49ers May Cut in 2016

By Peter Panacy

May 28, 2014; Santa Clara, CA, USA; San Francisco 49ers linebacker Ahmad Brooks (55) during organized team activities at the SAP Performance Facility. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports
May 28, 2014; Santa Clara, CA, USA; San Francisco 49ers linebacker Ahmad Brooks (55) during organized team activities at the SAP Performance Facility. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
5 of 6
Next
Oct 19, 2014; Denver, CO, USA; San Francisco 49ers outside linebacker Ahmad Brooks (55) before the game against the Denver Broncos at Sports Authority Field at Mile High. Mandatory Credit: Chris Humphreys-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 19, 2014; Denver, CO, USA; San Francisco 49ers outside linebacker Ahmad Brooks (55) before the game against the Denver Broncos at Sports Authority Field at Mile High. Mandatory Credit: Chris Humphreys-USA TODAY Sports /

Linebacker Ahmad Brooks

Statistics

Veteran linebacker Ahmad Brooks was in the cap-casualty discussion a year ago at this time. But he ended up sticking around in San Francisco for one more season and registered 6.5 sacks and 28 tackles in the process.

At 31 years old, and with questions surrounding his on-field ethic, one has to wonder if the 49ers envision him being a long-term fixture within their defense.

Brooks’ decline in production may be a primary factor here. He’s nowhere near the Pro Bowl-caliber player he was back in 2013. And with young players like linebackers Aaron Lynch and Eli Harold vying for more snaps, there is a strong possibility the veteran gets shown the door.

And it makes sense from a financial standpoint as well.

Brooks is signed through 2017, and it’s hard to see him finishing out that contract. San Francisco would save $6,407,500 in 2016 and $7,800,000 in 2017 if the team cuts him prior to June 1. That’s a total of well over $14 million in cap savings — money that may not mean much this year, but who knows what San Francisco’s cap situation will be the following.

Brooks’ personality hasn’t helped him much either. Being benched multiple times in both 2014 and 2015 works against his favor.

And the 49ers want to employ a youth movement, right?

Next: Colin Kaepernick