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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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Aug 7, 2014; Baltimore, MD, USA; Baltimore Ravens quarterback Tyrod Taylor (2) gets sacked by San Francisco 49ers defensive tackle Tank Carradine (95) in the first quarter at M&T Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Evan Habeeb-USA TODAY Sports
Aug 7, 2014; Baltimore, MD, USA; Baltimore Ravens quarterback Tyrod Taylor (2) gets sacked by San Francisco 49ers defensive tackle Tank Carradine (95) in the first quarter at M&T Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Evan Habeeb-USA TODAY Sports /

No. 6: Edge-Rusher Tank Carradine

If linebacker Corey Lemonier is looking like a big bust, former defensive end Tank Carradine is fitting the same bill.

Carradine was one of the most prolific pass-rushers coming out of college in the 2013 NFL Draft. A knee injury forced San Francisco to stash him his rookie season, and Carradine struggled to see the field thereafter.

A major reason was Carradine had difficulty adjusting to the Niners’ 3-4 defensive scheme. A prototypical 4-3 edge-rusher at Florida State, Carradine’s numbers reflected the inability to make the transition.

Rather than force something that wasn’t happening, the 49ers elected to try and work Carradine out in more of an outside linebacker or edge-rusher in sub packages, although Matt Maiocco of CSN Bay Area pointed out some perceived confusion about this.

Dropping weight and getting into a strict pass-rushing role may be the way to salvage the Niners’ former second-round pick’s chances at the pro level.

So far, so good, let’s hope.

If it works, and Carradine comes close to living up to his collegiate hype, the former Florida State standout might wind up working out in San Francisco after all.

But if the change doesn’t work out well, it’s all too likely Carradine won’t be around with the 49ers after this season.

Next: No. 5: TE Vance McDonald