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Way Too Early 2016 Statistical Predictions for San Francisco 49ers

By Peter Panacy

Oct 18, 2015; Santa Clara, CA, USA; San Francisco 49ers running back Carlos Hyde (28) rushes for a gain against the Baltimore Ravens during the first quarter at Levi's Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Ed Szczepanski-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 18, 2015; Santa Clara, CA, USA; San Francisco 49ers running back Carlos Hyde (28) rushes for a gain against the Baltimore Ravens during the first quarter at Levi's Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Ed Szczepanski-USA TODAY Sports /
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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 /

The San Francisco 49ers are expected to have a jump in offensive numbers in 2016 with new head coach Chip Kelly at the helm. But what type of statistics should fans be expecting from the Niners after such an underwhelming season last year?

It’s far too soon to accurately predict how the 2016 San Francisco 49ers will fare under new head coach Chip Kelly.

Plenty of things will change between now and Week 1 of the upcoming NFL season. There’s free agency, the NFL draft, training camp, the preseason and, of course, injuries. All of these will affect the Niners’ 2016 outcome and where they will stand against the rest of the league.

Still, it is possible to take a look at some incumbent numbers, the roster and Kelly’s history at the pro level and gauge — along with some speculation of the 49ers’ offseason actions — what fans may expect from this team in 2016.

To do this, we must take into account the current San Francisco roster along with some possible additions this offseason.

Regardless of Kelly’s influence, the NFL is still a players’ league. And the 49ers don’t exactly have a plethora of playmaking talent. While free agents and draftees will provide some influx here, to suggest the Niners will jump from the depths of the league’s stat lines towards the top in one quick season.

Keep in mind San Francisco finished at or near the bottom of nearly every offensive category last year. And the Niners defense was too inconsistent to get anywhere in the upper half of NFL teams.

So in many cases, the only direction is up for this franchise.

That’s a good thing. But fans will still have to keep lofty expectations in check for now. And predictions, being what they are, should be read as just that. The context and factors will change between now and the start of the regular season.

But let’s dive right into it.

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