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

By Peter Panacy

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August 1, 2015; Santa Clara, CA, USA; San Francisco 49ers guard August 1, 2015; Santa Clara, CA, USA; San Francisco 49ers guard Brandon Thomas (60) and offensive lineman Ian Silberman (62) stretch during training camp at Levi's Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports
August 1, 2015; Santa Clara, CA, USA; San Francisco 49ers guard August 1, 2015; Santa Clara, CA, USA; San Francisco 49ers guard Brandon Thomas (60) and offensive lineman Ian Silberman (62) stretch during training camp at Levi’s Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports /

Guard Brandon Thomas

Another player who saw his rookie season derailed by an injury was 2014 third-round draftee Brandon Thomas.

The former Clemson offensive guard was highly touted coming out of college yet hasn’t translated any of that over to the pro level. Despite being fully healthy at the start of 2015, Thomas was inactive for each one of the Niners’ 16 regular-season games over the course of the year.

When this sort of thing occurs, it’s usually a sign the coaching staff doesn’t trust what it sees during practice.

And to think the 49ers offensive line was a mess last season doesn’t exactly speak well to Thomas’ abilities.

According to Ryan Sakamoto of NinerFans.com, Thomas and fellow O-lineman Marcus Martin were all too susceptible to the bull rush.

Martin is another player who could be on this list. But his job appears safer as a backup to starting center Daniel Kilgore. At least Martin is seeing the field.

The same can’t be said of Thomas, so 2016 will have to be a year in which the third-year pro proves his worth to the organization.

Next: TE Vance McDonald