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San Francisco 49ers: Position-by-Position Prediction of 2016 Roster in Advance of Free Agency

By Peter Panacy

Oct 19, 2014; Denver, CO, USA; San Francisco 49ers tackle Anthony Davis (76) pass protects in the third quarter against the Denver Broncos at Sports Authority Field at Mile High. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 19, 2014; Denver, CO, USA; San Francisco 49ers tackle Anthony Davis (76) pass protects in the third quarter against the Denver Broncos at Sports Authority Field at Mile High. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports /
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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 (8)

NaVorro Bowman, free agent, Aaron Lynch, free agent, Gerald Hodges, Michael Wilhoite, Eli Harold, rookie

Free agency will be the area in which San Francisco supplements its linebacker crop. One needs to be selected to pair alongside inside linebacker NaVorro Bowman since fellow ILB Michael Wilhoite isn’t cut out to be a starter.

Wilhoite is a restricted-free agent coming off a $660,000 deal, so it’s worth keeping him around as a backup.

San Francisco will also need a pass-rusher to complement outside linebacker Aaron Lynch. Again, free agency — or possibly the draft — could determine who this is. But such a player will need to be the type who can offer an immediate impact in Week 1.

If you noticed, outside linebackers Corey Lemonier and Ahmad Brooks have been cut out of the picture.

Lemonier, a third-round selection from 2013, has been an utter disappointment. And Brooks, at 31 years old, could end up being a cap casualty given his lofty salary.

Next: Cornerback