Niner Noise
FanSided

Predicting 49ers Starting Lineup After 2016 NFL Draft

By Bobby Horne

Oct 4, 2015; Santa Clara, CA, USA; San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick (7) stands in the huddle during a break in the action against the Green Bay Packers in the first quarter at Levi's Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Cary Edmondson-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 4, 2015; Santa Clara, CA, USA; San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick (7) stands in the huddle during a break in the action against the Green Bay Packers in the first quarter at Levi's Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Cary Edmondson-USA TODAY Sports /
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Nov 29, 2015; Santa Clara, CA, USA; San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Torrey Smith (82) during a player injury against the Arizona Cardinals during the first quarter at Levi's Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 29, 2015; Santa Clara, CA, USA; San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Torrey Smith (82) during a player injury against the Arizona Cardinals during the first quarter at Levi’s Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports /

Wide Receiver

  1. Torrey Smith
  2. Quinton Patton
  3. Bruce Ellington
  4. DeAndre Smelter
  5. Eric Rogers
  6. Aaron Burbridge

With Anquan Boldin presumably not re-signing with the 49ers, that leaves Smith as the No. 1 option. Patton and Ellington retain their spots from last season.

Smelter returns from injury and will see his first snaps as a 49er. By mid-season, Smelter has the ability to become the No. 1 WR in Chip Kelly’s offense.

Rogers is also a very promising WR, putting up some very impressive numbers coming out of the CFL, which you can see here. He has a chance to push himself up the depth chart.

Rookie Burbridge will see some action in multiple receiver sets and provides good talent as a backup. He also has the ability to become a legitimate starter within the next few years.

Next: Tight End