The San Francisco 49ers 2016 roster will undergo a number of changes from what was seen on the field last season. NFL free agency, the draft and a number of other factors will determine how the 53-man roster shapes up. But let’s take an early prediction at what the Niners may look like this upcoming season.
Trying to figure out what the San Francisco 49ers roster will look like in 2016 is nearly impossible only days removed from Super Bowl 50. There are plenty of offseason events on the horizon that will shape and alter how the Niners look when they take the field for Week 1 of the upcoming season.
Free agency is just around the corner and the 2016 NFL draft isn’t that far off. With the 49ers boasting more than $50 million in projected cap space as well as potentially 12 draft picks, one should expect a lot of changes coming for a team that finished 5-11 last year.
General manager Trent Baalke has his work cut out for him. Not only will he be tasked with finding the right fits for new head coach Chip Kelly, but he’ll also need to ensure sufficient upgrades are found.
Remember, this was a team finishing dead last on offense a year ago and lacked any sort of consistency on the defensive side of the ball.
Still, the 49ers will have more than enough carryover from the 2015 season. And while players under contract may not necessarily be around to start the regular season — cap casualties, injuries, etc. — we can try to formulate an approximation of what the Niners’ 53-man roster will be when San Francisco kicks off its 2016 campaign.
So let’s take a position-by-position look at the 2016 49ers and try to figure out what Baalke and Co. will do to assemble the team not so long from now.
Note: Backups and non-starters in standard formations will be italicized.
Next: Quarterback
Quarterback (3)
Colin Kaepernick, Blaine Gabbert, rookie
Yes, the 49ers will roll with three quarterbacks on their roster for 2016 — something they haven’t typically done in recent history.
And quarterback Colin Kaepernick will be the starting guy over last year’s second-half upstart Blaine Gabbert.
While there are arguments behind Gabbert being a better signal-caller in head coach Chip Kelly’s system, it’s hard to fathom the new 49ers head coach completely turning his back on Kaepernick until it’s absolutely certain Kelly won’t be able to resurrect his career in on-field action.
We’ll put to rest any notion of Kaepernick being traded away or released this offseason. For now.
The good thing is that Kap and Gabbert will have the opportunity to compete for the starting spot. Perhaps this is the push Kaepernick needs to get back to anything close to the type of player he was in 2012 and 2013.
Additionally, the 49ers will look to draft a rookie quarterback in this year’s class. He may be a first-round prospect like Cal’s Jared Goff or Memphis’ Paxton Lynch. Or, perhaps, the 49ers sit back and take a guy like Oregon’s Vernon Adams.
But they’ll want to groom him and probably won’t take the chance of trying to place him on the practice squad where he’d have to clear waivers first.
Next: Running Back
Running Back (5)
Carlos Hyde, Bruce Miller, DuJuan Harris, Mike Davis, Jarryd Hayne
Featured running back Carlos Hyde will be returning from his season-ending foot injury a year ago and will be a nice fit in head coach Chip Kelly’s inside zone scheme.
But he’ll need some help. Hyde can’t be an every-down back simply because his aggressive, hard-pounding running style will risk further injury. So the 49ers are going to have to get some production out of their depth backs.
Running back DuJuan Harris showed some nice things at the tail end of last season and also could be utilized as a pass-catching threat. Second-year pro Mike Davis hasn’t had many opportunities to prove himself just yet, but it’s possible Kelly works him into his plans as well.
And then there is the X-factor Jarryd Hayne. In a best-case scenario, Hayne could be the type of player like Philadelphia Eagles running back Darren Sproles was for Kelly a year ago.
Hayne will have to improve his blocking techniques to ensure this happens, but signs point towards Kelly utilizing him much more effectively than the previous 49ers coaching regime.
There could be some bad news for fullback Bruce Miller though. Kelly wasn’t much of a fan of fullbacks in Philadelphia. So it’s feasible to assume Miller doesn’t see a lot of the field in 2016.
On the flip side, perhaps Kelly realizes Miller is much more dynamic of a weapon than just a traditional fullback and chooses to adjust his scheme to maximize his use.
He’ll be on the roster nonetheless.
Next: Wide Receiver
Wide Receiver (6)
Anquan Boldin, Torrey Smith, Quinton Patton, DeAndre Smelter, Bruce Ellington, rookie
Let’s predict the 49ers are able to re-sign free-agent veteran wide receiver Anquan Boldin this offseason to a short one- or two-year deal.
The reason behind this is to bridge the gap between last season and an up-and-coming crop of receivers looking to make a name for themselves at the NFL level.
General manager Trent Baalke’s recent track record of drafting wide receivers hasn’t exactly panned out. 2012 first-round selection A.J. Jenkins went bust quickly and one has to wonder whether or not third-year pro Bruce Ellington won’t gain much headway either.
And it doesn’t help that head coach Chip Kelly has a noted preference for big-bodied wideouts.
That preference could be a boost for wide receiver DeAndre Smelter though. Redshirted last season, Smelter’s 6’2″, 227-pound frame might be the ideal fit for Kelly’s offense. And if his recovery has progressed amicably enough, it’s reasonable to assume he’ll work his way up the depth chart.
Expect the Niners to land a wide receiver in the NFL draft as well to cap off this crop of pass-catching targets.
Next: Tight End
Tight End (3)
Vance McDonald, Blake Bell, Busta Anderson
Following two forgettable years as a pro, tight end Vance McDonald was able to show some things towards the tail end of the 2015 season. While this may or may not be an indication of things to come, it’s safe to say the 49ers would be willing to give him one more shot to prove he was worth a second-round pick back in 2013.
Head coach Chip Kelly could also be the type of offensive mindset that properly utilizes McDonald.
The same could be said of second-year pro tight end Blake Bell.
Bell could give San Francisco reason enough to let veteran tight end Garrett Celek depart via free agency. While Celek had a number of positive moments last season before landing on injured reserve, the 49ers’ depth here could mandate him signing elsewhere in 2016.
And a big reason behind that would be second-year tight end Busta Anderson. Anderson, who missed his rookie season with an injury, is 6’4″ and 246 pounds.
Remember what was said of Kelly liking big-bodied targets?
Next: Offensive Line
Offensive Line (9)
Joe Staley, Andrew Tiller, Daniel Kilgore, free agent, Anthony Davis, Trent Brown, Marcus Martin, Brandon Thomas, rookie
Carrying nine guys along the offensive line may be a bit of a stretch, although there are so many questions here that’s it’s nearly impossible to do otherwise.
Left guard Alex Boone is headed to free agency, and he’ll be commanding a hefty salary this offseason. Do the 49ers want to open their pocketbooks for him or try and get cheaper and younger along the line?
Guard Andrew Tiller came on strong in the latter half of last year and is likely penciled in as a starter. And we should assume, based on his Twitter suggestions, retired right tackle Anthony Davis returns as has been frequently suggested.
San Francisco may want to tap into free agency to address some deficiencies along the right side of the O-line. Cleveland Browns lineman Mitchell Schwartz is an attractive free-agent to be, and the 49ers might consider adding recently released lineman Geoff Schwartz as well.
None of this would bode well for younger linemen like Marcus Martin, Brandon Thomas or Ian Silberman.
Although tackle Trent Brown may be enticing enough to watch.
Next: Defensive Line
Defensive Line (6)
Arik Armstead, Ian Williams, Quinton Dial, free agent, Tank Carradine, Mike Purcell
The 49ers will want to add some pass-rushing defensive linemen this offseason. And teams can never have too many pass-rushers.
Who that player may be remains to be seen. But a starting cast of D-linemen Arik Armstead, Ian Williams and Quinton Dial isn’t too bad in base formations. Of course, this would mean free-agent defensive tackle Ian Williams returns and gets back to work as one of the team’s best run-stuffers.
Defensive tackle Glenn Dorsey isn’t listed as it’s hard to predict whether or not he’ll be ready for game-time action following his season-ending knee injury last year. Week 1 of 2016 seems a little too soon.
It’s becoming clear fourth-year pro Tank Carradine isn’t cut out to be an every-down player and is likely best suited as strictly an edge-rusher.
Nose tackle Mike Purcell also turned heads this season and could win the job over restricted-free agent Tony Jerod-Eddie should San Francisco retain him in 2016.
Next: Linebacker
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
Cornerback (6)
Tramaine Brock, Kenneth Acker, Jimmie Ward (nickel), Dontae Johnson, Keith Reaser, Marcus Cromartie
Cornerback Tramaine Brock remains the established No. 1 guy at this position. But the No. 2 slot is wide open for competition.
The 49ers seemed comfortable sliding two-year veteran Kenneth Acker into that position at the start of 2015, but his play sloughed off towards the tail end of the season. This gave way to an increased number of snaps for guys like Dontae Johnson and Marcus Cromartie.
Johnson’s size it what makes him enticing. At 6’2″ and 200 pounds, he’s more of an ideal matchup against some of the bigger receivers the 49ers will face in 2016. So, despite being lower on the depth chart, he’ll see plenty of playing time.
Nickel corner Jimmie Ward will also get a sizable number of snaps given the prevalence of three-wide offensive formations in today’s NFL. Ward also ranks in as a safety, so the 49ers have some flexibility in their defensive backfield.
And it helps Ward put in a nice follow-up season to his otherwise forgettable rookie year in 2014.
Next: Safety
Safety (4)
Antoine Bethea, Eric Reid, Jaquiski Tartt, L.J. McCray
Veteran safety Antoine Bethea will be returning from his season-ending pectoral injury and, despite being 31 years old, still offers enough veteran prowess and leadership to keep him from being a cap casualty this offseason.
Second-year safety Jaquiski Tartt will be an interesting figure to watch. While his coverage skills weren’t the best in 2015 — few rookie defensive backs’ are — San Francisco will likely employ him as a hybrid to occupy an inside linebacker position similar to what the Arizona Cardinals do with safety Deone Bucannon.
Tartt also brings a measure of physicality to the 49ers defense — an aspect largely missing since the free-agent departure of safety Donte Whitner not that long ago.
And fellow defensive back L.J. McCray is one of the better special teams players the 49ers have on their roster.
Safety is one of the few positions the Niners won’t have to worry about in the upcoming season.
Next: Special Teams
Special Teams (3)
Rookie (K), Bradley Pinion (P), Kyle Nelson (LS)
Yes, the 49ers won’t be moving forward with 41-year-old veteran kicker Phil Dawson after yet another solid career in San Francisco.
Dawson earned over $3 million last season, and the pending free agent may still have a little more left in the tank. But with the 49ers starting to get younger across the board — the drafting of punter Bradley Pinion last year to replace Andy Lee is an example — it’s harder to envision Dawson remaining with the 49ers than general manager Trent Baalke looking elsewhere.
Of course Baalke could dip into the free-agent market to lock up a veteran kicker. The problem is there aren’t any pending free agents at this position worthy of value. That will certainly change though.
Special teams will be rounded out by aces and depth players who can make contributions here. So while this portion of the team may not generate anywhere near the buzz as the offense and defense, it’s still an important factor
So there you have it — the complete prediction of what the 49ers’ 53-man roster may look like in 2016. There are obviously a lot of yet-to-be-determined variables and factors to be worked into the equation. And it’s anyone’s guess how Baalke elects to formulate this roster with the amount of cap space and draft picks at his disposal.
Training camp and the preseason will also play their respective roles in advance of 2016. Players will rise or fall and competitions will be won and lost. And then there are injuries.
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Such is the nature of the NFL.
How will the roster finally pan out? We’ve got a while to wait but a lot of pending information to change the outlook.
Next: 49ers Primer for 2016 Free Agency
All statistics, records and accolades courtesy of Pro-Football-Reference.com unless otherwise indicated. Contractual information courtesy of Over the Cap.