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San Francisco 49ers: 10 Players Entering a Make-or-Break Season in 2016

By Peter Panacy

November 8, 2015; Santa Clara, CA, USA; San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick (7) looks on during the second 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 quarterback Colin Kaepernick (7) looks on during the second 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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October 5, 2014; Santa Clara, CA, USA; San Francisco 49ers outside linebacker Ahmad Brooks (55) defends during the first quarter against the Kansas City Chiefs at Levi’s Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports
October 5, 2014; Santa Clara, CA, USA; San Francisco 49ers outside linebacker Ahmad Brooks (55) defends during the first quarter against the Kansas City Chiefs at Levi’s Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports /

No. 2: Outside Linebacker Ahmad Brooks

Veteran linebacker Ahmad Brooks is nowhere near the type of player he was back in 2013 — a season in which Brooks earned Pro Bowl accolades as one of the 49ers’ best defenders on a great defense.

At 32 years old, Brooks is likely starting to see the decline of his NFL effectiveness. True, he was tied for the team lead in sacks last year with fellow linebacker Aaron Lynch (6.5 apiece), but Brooks also received a minus-10.2 overall PFF grade last year — second lowest only behind inside linebacker Michael Wilhoite.

And who could forget how Brooks reacted to losing playing time in 2014 and 2015? No, that doesn’t bode well for Brooks either.

Brooks will count for $8.005 million against the cap this year, per Over the Cap. If the 49ers really wanted to move him this offseason, they would have done so by now. But he’s slated to make $8.649 million in 2017 — the final year of his current deal.

That’s a pretty hefty number for a guy not playing anywhere close to where he was just a few years ago.

Brooks could wind up losing playing time to up-and-coming players like linebacker Eli Harold or even see a reduced role in sub packages with edge-rusher Tank Carradine being thrown into the mix.

The Niners will keep Brooks around in 2016. But with age a factor, Brooks will need to prove he belongs in the NFL this season in order to keep his career moving.

Next: No. 1: QB Colin Kaepernick