San Francisco 49ers: Breaking Down Strongest, Weakest Positions in 2016

The San Francisco 49ers have positional units that look strong heading into 2016. They also have clear weaknesses. Niner Noise looks at spots to watch in 2016.

The San Francisco 49ers used their 11 draft picks to begin rebuilding the roster. General manager Trent Baalke built the interior of the team for success moving forward but failed to address key positions.

As the 49ers begin their offseason program, the team has clear strengths and weaknesses. Recently-drafted rookies will be counted on to build specific positional units but the absence of draft picks at positions hurt just as much.

While Baalke made it clear that certain positions needed upgrades, other positions were left to stand-pat and the team’s success in 2016 will be affected as a result. The 49ers stumbled through an abysmal 5-11 season in 2016 and, while they’ve repaired some of the dysfunction that led to such a poor season, the roster still has glaring holes.

The 2016 schedule paints a rough picture when anticipating an immediate turnaround for the 49ers. While certain positions can lead the way to wins, weak positions are liabilities as the team looks to improve in the first year of new head coach Chip Kelly’s tenure.

The strengths and weaknesses of the 49ers roster extends well beyond the starting players at any position. The depth, experience, camp battles and media headaches that come along tell the story of a team in transition. It isn’t that difficult to project where this team may fall flat moving forward.

Trent Baalke has made an effort to fix the team by mimicking its most-recent success. In 2010, Baalke spent two first-round picks to draft offensive linemen Mike Iupati and Anthony Davis. Building upfront immediately transitioned the team into success. In 2016, the 49ers are expecting the same.

With that, let’s look at the positions of strength and weakness for the San Francisco 49ers as they begin their offseason program.

Next: Defensive Strength