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San Francisco 49ers: 10 Best & Worst Case Scenarios for the 2016 Season

By Peter Panacy

Oct 18, 2015; Santa Clara, CA, USA; San Francisco 49ers free safety Eric Reid (35) jumps up with cornerback Tramaine Brock (26) to break up the pass intended for Baltimore Ravens wide receiver Steve Smith (89) on the final play during the fourth quarter at Levi's Stadium. The San Francisco 49ers defeated the Baltimore Ravens 25-20. Mandatory Credit: Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 18, 2015; Santa Clara, CA, USA; San Francisco 49ers free safety Eric Reid (35) jumps up with cornerback Tramaine Brock (26) to break up the pass intended for Baltimore Ravens wide receiver Steve Smith (89) on the final play during the fourth quarter at Levi's Stadium. The San Francisco 49ers defeated the Baltimore Ravens 25-20. Mandatory Credit: Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports /
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Oct 19, 2014; Denver, CO, USA; San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Bruce Ellington (10) during the game against the Denver Broncos at Sports Authority Field at Mile High. Mandatory Credit: Chris Humphreys-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 19, 2014; Denver, CO, USA; San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Bruce Ellington (10) during the game against the Denver Broncos at Sports Authority Field at Mile High. Mandatory Credit: Chris Humphreys-USA TODAY Sports /

No. 4: Who Emerges as San Francisco’s No. 2 Wideout?

Veteran wide receiver Torrey Smith will be the team’s No. 1 option entering 2016. But who occupies the No. 2 starting job has yet to be determined.

San Francisco has some options after electing not to re-sign veteran target Anquan Boldin. Could the job go to small-but-shifty receiver Bruce Ellington? Or will three-year veteran Quinton Patton finally get his day to shine?

Perhaps the 49ers finally get their payoff from second-year pro DeAndre Smelter after redshirting him his rookie season. And rookie wideout Aaron Burbridge may be a player to watch this season.

Best-Case Scenario

Perhaps a player like Ellington winds up being an X-factor in head coach Chip Kelly’s offense. Improperly utilized up to this point in his career, Kelly finds a way to maximize his potential in order to give a spark to the 49ers passing attack.

Additionally, Smelter’s hype proves to be true as he emerges as a strong red-zone threat as well as a player capable of hauling in passes in contested areas.

The same could be said of Burbridge, who sees significant time as San Francisco’s primary slot receiver.

Kelly gets the most out of this young group, and the 49ers aerial attack thrives.

Worst-Case Scenario

Smelter falls in line with the rest of general manager Trent Baalke’s ACL-risk picks and never emerges as a legitimate threat.

Ellington’s size works against him, and even Kelly’s scheme can’t overcome a 5’9″ stature.

Youth proves to be a problem for the 49ers crop of receivers, which leads to poor route-running and a lack of focus against pro-level defensive backs.

And the Niners are left scratching their heads about this playmaking position once again.

Next: No. 3: San Francisco's Quarterbacking Situation