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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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Oct 22, 2015; Santa Clara, CA, USA; San Francisco 49ers cornerback Keith Reaser (27) kneels on the field before the game against the Seattle Seahawks at Levi’s Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 22, 2015; Santa Clara, CA, USA; San Francisco 49ers cornerback Keith Reaser (27) kneels on the field before the game against the Seattle Seahawks at Levi’s Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports /

No. 10: Cornerback Keith Reaser

The 49ers entered the new year with plenty of depth at cornerback. And they added even more during the 2016 NFL Draft with the selection of rookie defensive backs Will Redmond, Rashard Robinson and Prince Charles Iworah.

San Francisco took a similar approach in 2014 — bulking up on players for its secondary — by drafting defensive backs Jimmie Ward, Dontae Johnson, Kenneth Acker and Keith Reaser.

Out of that group, Reaser saw the least of the field last season. He had just 82 defensive snaps on the year, according to Pro Football Focus (subscription required), and hasn’t come anywhere close to passing up some of the deeper crop of Niners corners since his acquisition.

Already pressed to the bottom of San Francisco’s depth chart, the 2016 additions of Redmond, Robinson and Iworah don’t bode well for Reaser’s chances to contribute this year, let alone make the roster.

What Reaser does have going for him over the rookies is his NFL experience. It may not be much in the grand scheme of things, but he’ll still have to prove himself over the remaining crop to ensure he gets a job this season.

Even then, Reaser can’t afford to be another non-factor if he winds up playing in 2016.

Next: No. 9: WR Jerome Simpson