Niner Noise
FanSided

San Francisco 49ers: 10 Players with a Lot to Prove in 2016

By Peter Panacy

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Sep 27, 2015; Glendale, AZ, USA; San Francisco 49ers running back Jarryd Hayne (38) returns a punt against the Arizona Cardinals during the first half at University of Phoenix Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 27, 2015; Glendale, AZ, USA; San Francisco 49ers running back Jarryd Hayne (38) returns a punt against the Arizona Cardinals during the first half at University of Phoenix Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports /

Running Back Jarryd Hayne

OK, so running back Jarryd Hayne may not have gotten the best of opportunities when he broke into the NFL last season. And it isn’t as if San Francisco’s vanilla offensive game plan last year showcased Hayne’s dynamic, if raw, abilities.

Still, Hayne is anything but a polished and bona fide talent at the NFL level. While the skill set may  be there and the potential seems unending, Hayne will have to do more than just reveal a strong preseason.

And those efforts will come in more than just being able to run the ball, return kickoffs and punts. He’ll have to manage his blocking technique, embrace the offensive play-calling and be more than just a unique commodity around which international fans focus attention.

The good news is head coach Chip Kelly may be the type of schemer who can properly exploit Hayne’s talents in a way the coach once did with Philadelphia Eagles running back Darren Sproles.

Maybe this works in Hayne’s benefit.

But one can rest assured knowing the 49ers would rather utilize proven running backs — Carlos Hyde, DuJuan Harris or Mike Davis — who have enjoyed some level of success at either the collegiate or pro levels.

So Hayne has his work cut out for him this offseason. And he’ll be under the microscope in 2016.

Next: LB Corey Lemonier