San Francisco 49ers: 5 Young Players to Watch in 2016

6 of 6

September 3, 2015; Santa Clara, CA, USA; San Francisco 49ers offensive tackle Trenton Brown (77) during the second quarter in a preseason game against the San Diego Chargers at Levi /

5. Trenton Brown

Trenton Brown, or Trent for short, was an offensive lineman at the University of Florida for two seasons. After being drafted in the seventh round of the 2015 NFL Draft, Brown quickly impressed in his 49ers debut season. Matt Barrows, of the Sacramento Bee, had a great piece on Brown last May and also had one late in the season, after the 49ers loss to the Bengals. Brown talked about that loss, in a positive way, from a personal and individual standpoint:

"“I did good – I mean, no sacks,” Brown said after the game. “I feel like I could have been better, a little stronger in my protection on about two plays. But the quarterback was able to get the ball off in time.” Read more here: http://www.sacbee.com/sports/nfl/san-francisco-49ers/article50937110.html#storylink=cpy"

Brown also said the game was slowing down for him.

"“I really did,” he said. “I felt like things were moving a lot slower.” Read more here: http://www.sacbee.com/sports/nfl/san-francisco-49ers/article50937110.html#storylink=cpy"

Let’s dive in a little bit more on what makes Trent Brown a player to watch for the 2016 season.

A. Talent Level

At 6’8″ 350 pounds, Trenton Brown has exceptional movement skills. He clocked a 5.29 40 yard dash, at the NFL Scouting Combine, which might not seem great, but for a 350 pound man that is fast.

Watch his workout here.

His numbers aren’t great compared to other athletes at the event, but he’s very fluid in the drills. You see the movement skills needed to play the position.

Brown started the final three games for San Francisco, earning playing time by making a positive impression in the 49ers game against Cincinnati.

"“He’s gotten himself some reps,” Tomsula said. “He did a pretty good job. We’ve got to keep growing. He’s got to make sure – we’ve got to make sure – we’ve got everything clean in practice. And then with where Marcus is right now, we’ll have to see exactly how much that is.” Read more here: http://www.sacbee.com/sports/nfl/san-francisco-49ers/article50937110.html#storylink=cpy"

Talent is great, but when it marries with coaching is when you’ll see a player really breakout and blossom.

B. Coaching and Scheme

To play for Chip Kelly a player must be, in general, considered big. Brown has this down. There isn’t anyone on the 49ers who can say “I’m bigger than Trent Brown”.

Brown is also agile, for a man of his size, as we previously discussed. This aspect of his game is very important in Kelly’s zone blocking scheme.

These two aspects will really help Brown master the Inside Zone play that Kelly is famous for and David Neumann caught a great quote from Kelly in regards to the play.

"“The inside zone play is our ‘go-to-work’ play,” Kelly said at a coaching clinic in 2009. “It has become our signature play. We want to get off the ball and be a physical, downhill-running football team. This is not a finesse play.”"

Who better than a powerful man like Brown, who’s also agile, to be an anchor in Kelly’s offense? Brown should be in front of the play-side when the 49ers run the inside zone play this coming season.

C. Work Ethic

The first thing that tells me about Brown’s work habits is the fact that he not only saw the field as a seventh round rookie, but that he performed well. Brown performed so well, in fact, that All-Pro Left Tackle Joe Staley took notice, as captured by Chris Biderman courtesy of David Fucillo:

"“He has to come back with the mindset that it’s his position to win,” left tackle and team captain Joe Staley said Wednesday. “I know it’s going to be a competition, if they bring a guy in free agency or the draft. But (Brown’s) mindset has gotta be it’s his position to take.”"

This kind of support from a teammate speaks volumes of what they see, in that player, on a daily basis.

Prediction

Trent Brown becomes the 49ers second best offensive lineman behind only Joe Staley and, because of Kelly’s scheme and his role, makes the Pro Bowl.

All statistics, records and accolades courtesy of Pro-Football-Reference.com and Sports-Reference.com unless otherwise indicated.