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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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Oct 18, 2014; Chapel Hill, NC, USA; Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets wide receiver DeAndre Smelter (15) scores on a 75 yard run with 3:07 left in the fourth quarter as North Carolina Tar Heels cornerback Desmond Lawrence (2) defends. The Tar Heels defeated the Yellow Jackets 48-43 at Kenan Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 18, 2014; Chapel Hill, NC, USA; Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets wide receiver DeAndre Smelter (15) scores on a 75 yard run with 3:07 left in the fourth quarter as North Carolina Tar Heels cornerback Desmond Lawrence (2) defends. The Tar Heels defeated the Yellow Jackets 48-43 at Kenan Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports /

No. 6: Wide Receiver DeAndre Smelter Makes the Pro Bowl

This probably won’t happen if rookie wideout Aaron Burbridge earns the No. 2 starting spot in 2016.

But if Burbridge doesn’t get the nod, and second-year pro DeAndre Smelter does, let’s go with a bold prediction of the former Georgia Tech standout making the Pro Bowl in his first season on an NFL field.

Smelter making the Pro Bowl this season has already been argued before, last time by Niner Noise co-editor Douglas Totten. He wrote:

"Yes, this is a bold statement for a receiver who has not yet played a down in the NFL, but it should not seem ridiculous. Smelter was a fantastic receiver for Georgia Tech — a school that has quite the reputation for sending good receivers to the pros — and, as his former collegiate coach told 49ers.com back in July, Smelter has “Unlimited potential.” With Chip Kelly now in charge, expect that potential to be tapped sooner rather than later."

What held Smelter back from being drafted higher than the fourth round in 2015 was his collegiate ACL injury.

And, as Bleacher Report’s Christopher Hansen noted last year, this likely kept the receiver from being a top-five or six pick in the 2015 draft.

Few of general manager Trent Baalke’s ACL-risk picks have worked out at the pro level.

But there’s always a first time, so let’s boldly predict Smelter breaks through with a bang.

Next: 49ers O-line Finishes as a Top-Five Unit