Way Too Early 2016 Statistical Predictions for San Francisco 49ers

Best Defensive Players: ILB NaVorro Bowman & DE Arik Armstead

Linebacker NaVorro Bowman is a clear choice for the 49ers’ defensive MVP in 2016 and should back up this year’s Pro Bowl effort with an even better performance in the upcoming season.

Bowman led the Niners — and the rest of the NFL for that matter — with 116 tackles. He also had 2.5 sacks and one forced fumble.

It would be a long shot to suggest Bowman leads the league in tackles once more this season. We’ll likely see a decline in that number with other 49ers defenders vying to make more of a contribution. That’s a good thing because Bowman won’t be asked to do it all.

Although we should expect Bowman to provide some better pass-coverage abilities given he’s had more time to recuperate his surgically repaired knee.

He’ll still register plenty of tackles though. And could easily lead the team once more. So let’s go with a stat line of 95 tackles and four sacks.

Defensive end Arik Armstead will be a player to watch after a promising second half of his rookie season. And if you have any doubts as to his power, just watch this:

Armstead may not be a big stats guy — he wasn’t at the University of Oregon either. But we should see a marked improvement from his 14-tackle, two-sack effort in 2015 simply because he’ll be seeing a lot more of the field.

Remember, Armstead didn’t get a lot of playing time until defensive tackle Glenn Dorsey went down with a knee injury in Week 11. That will change in 2016.

Armstead will see a jump in his numbers from a year ago. A 35 tackle, three-sack stat line seems about right.

Next: Best Offensive Players