San Francisco 49ers: 5 Potential Breakout Players in 2016

The ongoing transformation from the San Francisco 49ers of not long ago to what the roster looks like now will rely on a number of developing players to break out in 2016. Niner Noise takes a look at five players to watch as potential breakout stars.

The San Francisco 49ers certainly need a lot of help this offseason coming off a 5-11 campaign in 2015 and a large-scale transformation of the roster at the end of the season before.

But that doesn’t mean San Francisco is entirely bereft of talent. There are a number of pieces around which the Niners can focus their attention moving into the 2016 season. A slew of draft picks, a large amount of cap space and a new offensive-minded head coach should help usher in some significant changes as the 49ers gear up for this year.

Exactly how San Francisco’s roster looks in 2016 is anyone’s guess. Yet a number of players are worthy of being considered cornerstones of the franchise in coming seasons.

Some are obvious. Linebacker NaVorro Bowman — a year removed from the 2014 season in which he missed the entire year recovering from his horrific knee injury — remains a stalwart piece. The same could be said of left tackle Joe Staley.

Yet the Niners will need a considerable amount of breakout performances to climb out from the depths of the NFC West and return to respectability.

So which players are due for a breakout?

Let’s take a look at five possibilities — players who may do more than just turn a few heads in 2016.

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