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San Francisco 49ers: 10 Bold Predictions for the 2016 Season

By Peter Panacy

November 8, 2015; Santa Clara, CA, USA; San Francisco 49ers outside linebacker Aaron Lynch (59) and defensive end Arik Armstead (91) celebrate during the first quarter against the Atlanta Falcons at Levi's Stadium. The 49ers defeated the Falcons 17-16. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports
November 8, 2015; Santa Clara, CA, USA; San Francisco 49ers outside linebacker Aaron Lynch (59) and defensive end Arik Armstead (91) celebrate during the first quarter against the Atlanta Falcons at Levi's Stadium. The 49ers defeated the Falcons 17-16. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports /
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Sep 19, 2015; East Lansing, MI, USA; Michigan State Spartans receiver Aaron Burbridge (16) celebrates after catching a touchdown pass against the Air Force Falcons during the 1st quarter of a game at Spartan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mike Carter-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 19, 2015; East Lansing, MI, USA; Michigan State Spartans receiver Aaron Burbridge (16) celebrates after catching a touchdown pass against the Air Force Falcons during the 1st quarter of a game at Spartan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mike Carter-USA TODAY Sports /

No. 8: Aaron Burbridge Earns the No. 2 Wide Receiver Job

Sticking with the wide receiver position, let’s make a prediction rookie wideout Aaron Burbridge earns the nod to start alongside veteran wideout Torrey Smith in 2016.

Why? Well the former Michigan State prospect is nearly an identical clone of former Niners receiver, and current free agent, Anquan Boldin.

Cam Inman of the San Jose Mercury News explained more:

"Aaron Burbridge strode into the 49ers media room Friday with his 6-foot-1 frame wearing grey sweatpants, offering a similar image to that of Anquan Boldin from recent years. A.B. 2016 might need to take the place of A.B. 2013-15."

Initials aside, Burbridge resembles Boldin in large measure to his physicality and wide catching radius. Burbridge was one of the reasons Michigan State quarterback Connor Cook was considered one of the better pro-style prospects in this year’s draft.

To put things simply, Burbridge bailed Cook out on more than one occasion. And the 49ers may be asking the rookie to help either Colin Kaepernick or Blaine Gabbert in the same fashion.

Burbridge will have to beat out a number of more established wideouts to do this, but this is a good prediction to make.

Next: Vance McDonald Earns No. 1 Tight End Duties