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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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Nov 29, 2015; Santa Clara, CA, USA; San Francisco 49ers tight end Vance McDonald (89) celebrates after a touchdown against the Arizona Cardinals during the third quarter at Levi's Stadium. The Arizona Cardinals defeated the San Francisco 49ers 19-13. Mandatory Credit: Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 29, 2015; Santa Clara, CA, USA; San Francisco 49ers tight end Vance McDonald (89) celebrates after a touchdown against the Arizona Cardinals during the third quarter at Levi’s Stadium. The Arizona Cardinals defeated the San Francisco 49ers 19-13. Mandatory Credit: Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports /

No. 7: Vance McDonald Earns the No. 1 Tight End Spot

2013 second-round draft pick Vance McDonald has been little more than a disappointing bust over his three-year tenure with the 49ers.

The 6’4″, 267-pound tight end has been known more for injuries and inconsistent hands above anything else, and he never materialized into the type of player who could eventually replace aging veteran and former 49ers TE Vernon Davis.

Last season marked even more frustrating moments from McDonald. Fans will recall his two dropped passes against the Cincinnati Bengals in Week 15 last year but, as it turned out, 2015 marked McDonald’s best season as a pro.

He finished the year with a career-high 326 receiving yards as well as three touchdowns on the season.

Perhaps McDonald is something of a late bloomer. And those three forgettable years are just part of the learning curve.

Throw in head coach Chip Kelly, whose use of tight ends is well documented from his time with the Philadelphia Eagles, and maybe McDonald winds up being something of use. And in more than just blocking formations.

Could Kelly’s tutelage turn McDonald into a Zach Ertz-type player? It’s bold, but let’s try to get some positive waves out of this thought.

Next: DeAndre Smelter Makes the Pro Bowl